HARDLY A RELIGIOUS GESTURE -José Antonio Pagola

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 

John 2, 1-11

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 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 

 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, g each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.

 Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

 HARDLY A RELIGIOUS GESTURE

         José Antonio Pagola

Translated by Rev.Fr. Valentine de Souza S.J.

Rev. Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J.

 “There was a wedding in Galilee.” This is how this story begins in which we are told something unexpected and surprising. There’s nothing religious about the first public involvement of Jesus, the one Sent by God. It does not happen in a sacred place. Jesus inaugurates his prophetic activity “saving” a wedding celebration that could have been a disaster. 

 In those poor villages of Galilee everyone loved weddings. For several days friends and relatives kept the bridal couple company, eating and drinking with them, dancing as they did at festivals, singing love songs. The Gospel of John says that it was at one of these weddings where Jesus did his “first sign”, the sign that gives us the key to understand all his activity and the deep meaning of his saving mission.

  John, the evangelist, does not speak of “miracles”. He calls the amazing acts that Jesus does “signs”. He does not want his readers to dwell on the spectacular aspect of what he does. He asks us to discover its deeper meaning. To help us do so, he gives us some leads of a symbolic nature. Let us see only one.

  The mother of Jesus, with an eye on all the happenings at the wedding, realizes “they have no wine”, and says as much to her son. Perhaps the couple, of humble origin, has been swamped by guests. Mary is concerned. The party is in danger. How can you have a wedding without wine? She trusts Jesus.

 Among the farmers of Galilee, wine was a well known symbol of joy and love. Everyone knew it. If there is no love and joy in life why stay together? Mary is not mistaken. Jesus intervenes to save the festivities providing abundant wine of excellent quality.

 This action of Jesus helps us to understand the direction and fundamental content of his whole life and of his project of the kingdom of God. While the religious leaders and teachers of the Law are engaged with religion, Jesus devotes himself to making the life of people more human and bearable.

 The gospels present Jesus concerned about life, not religion. He is not there only for pious and religious people. He is also for those who have been disappointed by religion, but feel the need to live a more dignified and happy life. Why? Because Jesus communicates faith in God in whom we can trust and with whom we can live with joy; because he draws us to a more generous life, lovingly shared in solidarity with all others.

  Spread the joy and saving power of Jesus

Jose Antonio Pagola, vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.

English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650