Application. The disciples rejoiced that they had found Jesus and believed in Him. Do you daily thank God that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of His holy Church?
Can it be said of you: “Behold a real Christian, in whom there is no guile?” Do you not sometimes dissimulate? Do you always tell the truth?
Chapter XIV.
FIRST MIRACLE OF JESUS— HE CHANGES WATER INTO WINE.
[John 2, 1 — 11.]
THREE days after these events there was a marriage in Cana [1] of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also, together with His disciples[2], was among the guests. While they were at table, the wine failed, and Mary said to Jesus: “They have no wine.”[3] He answered: “Woman[4], what is it to me and to thee? My hour[5] is not yet come.” But Mary, knowing the goodness of her Divine Son, and convinced that He would not refuse her request, spoke to the waiters: “Whatever He shall say to you, do ye.”[6]
- ↑ Cana. This little town lay about six miles to the north of Nazareth.
- ↑ His disciples. Jesus travelled back from the Jordan to Nazareth with His five disciples. He did not find His Mother there, as she had gone to the marriage at Cana: probably she was related to the bride or bridegroom. Jesus also went on to Cana, arriving there, perhaps, towards evening. He and His disciples being invited to the marriage-feast, the number of guests was increased by six persons, and, in consequence, the wine came to an end before the feast was over. It is evident that the bride and bridegroom were poor people, and not able to procure more wine. Their embarrassment was great, and they felt their poverty acutely. [It is more probable that Jesus travelled via Lake Tiberias to Bethsaida and thence back to Nazareth via Cana, and was therefore invited to the wedding, as His Mother was there. Tr.]
- ↑ No wine. Thus spoke Mary, in the fulness of her compassion for the poor bridegroom. She did not in so many words ask our Lord to help them by a miracle, but He well understood what it was that her compassionate heart desired.
- ↑ Woman. Woman is here a title of honour and equivalent to “Lady”. The words “what is it to me and to thee” sound harsh in our language, but not necessarily so in Hebrew. The meaning here is “why should we trouble or interfere” ? The words therefore imply no rebuke and no refusal, as the event shows.
- ↑ My hour. The hour for such a public manifestation of My glory. Thus spoke Jesus, because He had intended to reveal Himself and His divine power for the first time at Jerusalem, at the Feast of the Pasch. But Mary’s humble confidence could not be shaken, and she prayed the Heavenly Father to hasten “the hour” of His Son, and meanwhile she made preparations for a miracle.
- ↑ Do ye. Even if you do not understand the good of it.
