Wednesday March 13, 2024

Today is Wednesday, March 13 and we are reading through the second chapter of the Gospel of John.

Holy and loving God, I come here to listen for your voice speaking to me from the sacred words of the Holy Bible. Remind me of the truth of your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. As I read from the Gospel of John, let me hear the message you have for me today. Amen.

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. 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. What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days. John 2:1-2,7-9,11-12

The wedding feast in Cana happened “on the third day.” This specific timing recalls the manifestation of God at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-19) and points forward to the Resurrection of Jesus on the third day. This first miracle recorded in the book of John transforms water into wine. The miracle reveals Jesus the Word of God as God himself. He is the Word of God in the world and the transformation of the water to wine points forward to the transformation of the kingdom that is about to occur. A transformation after which the world will never be the same. Jesus is revealed as the Son of God.

The disciples are waiting for the Messiah, but not this kind of Messiah. Their expectations of an earthly ruler who will bring freedom and justice cannot contain the divine reality of who Jesus truly is. This first sign at Cana revealed his glory – the glory of the Father’s only Son. His disciples believed in him and traveled with him to Capernaum which would become The Galilean homebase for the itinerant band of twelve.

Jesus continues to surpass human expectations and exceeds what our earthly minds can fathom. I consider how I have tried to understand Jesus from my finite perspective and put limitations on what he can do in the world, in the church and in my life. Like the disciples and Mary, I am invited to take off the blinders and see Jesus for who he really is. To see his glory. To witness his power. To know his love. I can expect the capacity of his transformation to be at work in me and in the hearts and lives of those around me. Like the disciples I am invited to believe in him, travel with him, stay with him, follow him, be with him, and learn from him.

Ask: How might I be limiting the power of Christ at work in my life? How might I expand my expectations and be attentive to what Jesus is doing in me and in the world around me?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, reveal the power of your glory. Shine the light of your love and expose the limitations of my mind. Help me comprehend your all encompassing love and depth of delight in your faithful followers. Like you transformed water into wine, transform my heart in holiness and sanctify me through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen