The Wedding at Cana - Lagniappe!

Yesterday's (Sunday, January 17, 2010)  Gospel reading was John 2:1-11  - the Wedding at Cana, as I am sure you know. I tried to gather lots of great commentary and information in my last  Preparation for the Mass  post . . . . 
In case you missed that post, here it is in a nutshell.  We realize that there is much symbolism:  turning water into wine, beginning a public ministry,  the words, "My hour has not yet come.”


But there is always MORE!
The deacon who said our homily made some absolutely wonderful points at Mass. I loved these beautiful and, now quite obvious, points to ponder.  Isn't that often the way?  Gems in the Bible sometimes stare you right in the face and when they are brought to your attention, when they come into focus . . . . they literally take you to your knees!
These were my favorites:

• Notice that in this Gospel Mary, doesn't ask Jesus to help  . . . .  she just points out the problem. She lays the problem out and trusts Jesus to handle it (ahhhhh, a great example to us, is it not?)
• Jesus responds (there is a lot about THAT in my Preparation for the Mass post).
• Mary then says to the servants,  “Do whatever he tells you.”

 And! Think it out a bit more . . . . . . 

• The problem that the bridegroom and bride encounter (no more wine) was something Mary took notice of.  From what John tells us Jesus is not planning to do anything about it.  But Mary interceded.

Once Mary interceded --  Jesus solved the problem and he did so above and beyond a simple remedy. He provided the best wine . . . . and 6 containers of it. The deacon told us that Jewish ceremonial pots usually held anywhere from 20 to 30 gallons of water.
Think of it . . . 20 X 6 = 120 GALLONS of the finest wine! An abundance.

1) Lay your problems at God's feet. Let Him take them. Trust God.
2) Ask for the Virgin Mary's intercession.
3) Do whatever Jesus has taught; whatever God's one, holy, catholic and apostolic church teaches.

Simple. Profound. Stunningly beautiful, don't you think?
Oh,  how I love my Catholic faith!


The last graphic is a photograph of a mosaic @ St. Savior in Chora, Istanbul. Photography by Dick Osseman.