Our lesson this Sunday is the familiar wedding at Cana in John 2. A familiar story on the surface but so much more to penetrate. I love that word “penetrate”. It evokes an intentionality and reflective mind. We will look at the deep interior dimension of this event. The event of turning water to wine comes to us in word but reflects an event that takes place and John’s reflection on this event. He is a mystic having been in touch with both Mary and Jesus and is speaking to the spiritual needs of the church then and now.

Notice, for example, John does not start off with miracles of healing or walking on water or raising the dead. Rather, he shows Jesus at a wedding party. So many allusions to Israel and her prophets from the Old Testament about God marrying His people. God as husband, bridegroom. He desires the kind of intimacy, love and joy symbolized in that metaphor. Further, we see Jesus at a wedding party where wine has run out. Very embarrassing for the wedding family but also instructive of Israel at that time. The stone jars of purification water represent the listlessness and emptiness of Israel. If wine represents the divine life of the Holy Spirit then the dirty water of purification is the sin of the people, of us. Running out of wine is when your glass is dry, the bottle on its side, the party is over and you are dying of thirst.

life is empty, colorless, tasteless.

no vibrancy or bouquets to life

lack of joy, meaning, purpose direction, passion

But notice that Jesus takes what represents the old covenant and transforms it into the wine of the new covenant. The wine of intimacy, forgiveness, vitality, purpose, hospitality, inclusion, truth and certainty.

He reveals in this miracle that His hour has not come already reflecting on the hour of His death and resurrection. This is when the ultimate sacrifice is chosen freely in order for us to be able to sip the joy of new wine even in the midst of sorrow because He knew of the cup of death He would drink in the midst of the wedding party. We learn how to handle life when the wine seems to have run out.

Without Jesus our life is stale, putrid water. He tasted that life on the cross so we could drink freely the blood of the cross which is made wine at Holy Communion. So much more to explore in this event: Why does He call His mother “woman”? Why the 3rd day? Why is this the first sign Jesus performs? What and when is the “now” referring to in vs 10?

Come this Sunday and let’s penetrate the rich, evocative interior dimension of the mystery and miracle of the wedding at Cana.

Come and See

+Philip