Deacon
Tom Writes,
“Water into Wine – A Call To
Transformation”
The Wedding Feast at Cana is the third “epiphany” of
our Lord in that it is the third official occasion in which Jesus’ identity is
revealed to the world. The first revelation was recounted two weeks ago on the
Feast of the Epiphany when the magi came from the far corners of the world to
pay homage to the Christ Child. Last week was the Feast of the Baptism of Our
Lord and Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved. Today at Cana Jesus reveals his
power over the natural order by, of all things, changing water into wine.
Jesus is an agent of change. What was, ceases to be.
What was not, comes into being. According to John, Jesus is the preexistent and
Incarnate Word who comes to reveal the Father to us. Jesus comes to establish
the Gods reign in our world through his creative and transforming works
reminiscent of this amazing miracle at Cana.
It is important for anyone who wants to experience a
deeper spiritual life to be open to the transformative power of Christ. It’s
difficult to make any significant changes in our lives let alone trying to
break deep-seated habits or prejudices we’ve harbored for years. There are
several reasons for this: first, because we don’t see them for the evils that
they are, so we ignore them. Denial is an insidious part of our human nature. Second,
we are very good at putting off difficult changes until tomorrow. Tomorrow, of
course, never comes.
Jesus’ ministry is one that invites us to change our
lives. He does this by taking away our blindness, curing our paralyses, and
giving us the opportunity to embrace new life. In other words, he empowers us
to overcome the obstacles that hinder our spiritual growth. Jesus gives us the
power to change; he gives us the living water of Baptism and the bread of life
in the Eucharist. He gives us the power to come to know him though the abundant
sacramental life that feeds and nourishes all who come to him.
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals that the
transformative work begun by Jesus is continued through the power of the Holy
Spirit who lavishes God’s gifts upon us for the good of all. We all drink of
the one Cup that has been filled with the “Good Wine” that Jesus has made
available to all who come to him looking for God’s infinite love, mercy, and
compassion.
Our efforts to deepen our relationship with Christ
continue as we enter these days of Ordinary Time in our Liturgical Year. May
God bless all we do to accomplish this.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Image Credit: The Wedding Feast at Cana by Fr. Joel
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