The changing of water to wine at the wedding at Cana is the first of the signs written about in the Gospel according to John. The Greek word used to describe this miracle is sēmeîon, which translates as “a sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature” (The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon). Our modern definition of the word sign has a similar meaning: “An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else” (Oxford English Dictionary).
In verse 3, it is written that “they ran out of wine”. At a wedding, which is the best party of all, running out of wine was (and probably still is) considered a significant lapse in hospitality.
Exacerbating this would be the closeness of the communities at that time – the couple would have to live with the social disgrace associated with this mistake for a long time. Considering the couple’s difficulty, Mary’s request to Jesus carries weight. However we must look beyond what seems like a simple request for “drinks all around” to see what Mary is truly asking of Jesus.
To Mary’s request, Jesus replies that his “…hour has not come yet” (v. 4), referring to the moment in which the Father’s promise of salvation will be fulfilled (John 19:30). Jesus objects to Mary’s request as the hour for Him to manifest his identity as the Messiah had not yet come. Mary perfectly understands this, but chooses to respond in faith by asking the servants to “do whatever he tells you” (v. 5). Here, we see the powerful and effective intercession of Mary our Mother, as Jesus changes the water into wine (v. 7-8). The change is not just wine, but the best wine (v. 10), revealing to us that when the Lord moves in our lives, He does so in ways beyond our imagination.
At the wedding at Cana, we get the first sign, the first indication, of what is to come. This is what the signs are pointing towards – the promise of human redemption accomplished by Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection.
The real mystery for many of us is deciphering the signs in our lives. As God works in mysterious ways and His Spirit moves most gently and patiently, we may fail to recognise the hand of God working in our lives. We need to spend time reflecting, remembering when we felt the presence of God, maybe through a kind word, a generous gesture or an act of love. These are signs that God is with us – always and everywhere – in our darkest moments, in our happiest times. Just as He appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and to Jacob in dreams (Genesis 28:10–17), the Lord gives us signs to recognise and feel His presence. What are the signs in your life? When has Jesus turned water into wine for you?
Why does God send us these signs? The answer can be found within the same Gospel: “…These (signs) are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” (John 20:31). Just as He made a covenant with Abraham, and sent His only Son to redeem us as
fulfilment of that covenant, God desires a relationship with us. Signs are the language of God, used to communicate His love for us.
The miracle at the wedding may have been a crisis averted for the wedding couple, but the real beneficiaries are Jesus’ disciples. “He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him” (v. 11), for the sign led to their faith. The couple may have wondered about the origin of the wine, but knowing little of its creation, his curiosity would have ended there. Similarly, for the servants who witnessed the miracle, they did not know Jesus, and such a sign may have been nothing more than a conjurer’s trick to them.
For the disciples, who had the infant faith, the sign revealed the reality of who Jesus is, a reality that transcends our world, that goes beyond. As disciples of the Lord, this is true for us too. We are called not only to recognise the signs in our lives, but also to look beyond the physical to the transcendent reality which they point towards, to perceive the sacred which is revealed through them. All so that we may believe Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, sent for our salvation. This is God’s work, this is what God is calling us to do.
With hope, Jovian and Faith
“Then they said to him, ‘What must we do if we are to carry out God’s work?‘ Jesus gave them this answer, ‘This is carrying out God’s work: you must believe in the one he has sent.’” – John 6:28-29
God is speaking to us through the signs in our lives. How are you responding to the Lord? Do you believe in the one He sent? My dear brothers and sisters, as the Gospel tells us, we must, because this is the only way to life.
“…and that believing this you may have life through his name.” -John 20:31
Questions for Reflection
What are the signs in your life? When has Jesus turned water into wine for you?
As disciples of the Lord, this is true for us too. We are called not only to recognise the signs in our lives, but also to look beyond the physical to the transcendent reality which they point towards, to perceive the sacred which is revealed through them.
God is speaking to us through the signs in our lives. How are you responding to the Lord? Do you believe in the one He sent? My dear brothers and sisters, as the Gospel tells us, we must, because this is the only way to life.
