Today is Jan. 19, the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.
We read in the Gospel at today’s Mass, “There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine'” (Jn 2:1-3).
A friend of mine recently visited an exhibition of Medieval paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. While working his way through the museum, he overheard some other museum guests speculating on the subject of a rather impressive painting. They couldn’t determine what event it depicted. When my friend explained the painting depicted Christ’s first miracle, the changing of water to wine at Cana in Galilee, they were amazed. “How do you know that?” they asked incredulously. “Because I’m a Christian,” he replied with a wry grin.
It’s tempting to think that everyone knows the stories of the Gospel and that it isn’t necessary to re-tell them or explain them. But it is! Perhaps more than ever in our increasingly secular society.
Put yourself in my friend’s shoes. What would you say if you had to explain the miracle at Cana? Would you make a joke about how good the wine was? Try to dance around the fundamental, supernatural character of the story? What theological point would you make? What would you tell someone the story really means?
A work of hope
As I pray over the Gospel this Sunday, I see in this miracle a work of hope. At the wedding, a moment of social and personal embarrassment loomed: the wine had run out. For the hosts, this was a paralyzing crisis. Into this situation stepped Mary, whose response demonstrates the essence of hope. She did not despair, nor did she rely on a solution within her own power. Instead, she turned to Jesus with confident trust.
Mary’s words to Jesus, “They have no wine,” are more than an observation — they are an act of hope. Hope is rooted in the assurance that God’s goodness will prevail, even when we cannot see the path forward. Mary did not dictate how Jesus should act; she simply trusted in him. Her instruction to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you,” reveals her unwavering confidence in her son.
Are there areas in your life where hope feels weak or absent? Areas where a crisis is pending? Bring these to Jesus in prayer, imitating the Virgin Mary. Call these moments to the Lord’s attention without dictating a response. And, above all, have confidence that, in the events of your life, Jesus will make himself known, just as he did at Cana.
Let us pray,
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
