Today we already have a transition kind of gospel passage. We leave behind the Christmas stories and begin to reflect upon the public ministry of Jesus. Today’s gospel passage is about the changing of water into wine - as Jesus first public miracle. As this will appear shortly after again in our readings, I would simply like to point out one short sentence for today! And it is a tie-over from the Christmas Season.
After Mary spent thirty years with Jesus in his hidden life at Nazareth, she was present with him at this special wedding in Cana of Galilee. It was at this time that the “hour” of Jesus was to begin in earnest! And apparently a little ahead of schedule! When Mary asks Jesus to make water wine, he tells her that it was not time yet for him to inaugurate his divine mission! But then Mary simply said to the stewards: “Do whatever he tells you!”
And they brought the water jars, and Jesus changed them - which signified the great transformation that would be brought about by his life, death and resurrection! What is important to concentrate on at the point is the words of Mary: “Do whatever he tells you!” These are Mary’s last spoken words! And it is her quintessential request for every one at all times! We all must do whatever he, Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, Son of God and her Son, tells us to do - because there is no greater security in the world by which men are to live and be saved and enter into eternal life - than by means of Jesus the Messiah!
The first reading from St. John today is all about staying the course, staying on track and helping others to stay on track! Eternal salvation is a very critical and important subject for every one! Where we are going to spend forever is indeed a very timely and important topic for all of us! Those who respond to God’s invitation to live in his love, live in the life of his Son, live in the life of the Church - will be safe both now and for all eternity; those who, for whatever reason, we see wander off the track, deserve our sense of care and concern, they deserve any attempt that we might use to help guide them back onto the safe path, the safe Way, which is life in Jesus! Loving fraternal advice and correction is an obligation - born of prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit!
The Lord takes delight in his people! Let us remain his faithful people this day; and let us help our brothers and sisters to become more fully faithful and happy this day as well! There is no substituting life in love, life in Christ, life in the Church! This is where God dwells! This is where we are invited and called to live now and for ever!
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