“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believe in him.”
~ John 2:11~
At the end of our Gospel this week, we are told that Jesus revealed his glory in Cana and that “his disciples believed in him”.
In the context of the wedding in Cana, Jesus performs his first miracle. In the chapter before this, Jesus called his first disciples. It is still early days for them. They are still learning who Jesus is and what Jesus came to do.
Might this account at Cana tell us more about the disciples than the lack of planning by the wedding organisers that led to the wine running out or failing?
Jesus knows who he is. He knows why he came to dwell amongst us, as one of us. He knows what his mission is, and, in the greater scheme of things, changing water into wine may not have been that important for him. At the beginning of the text, we have already learnt that Jesus was resistant to his mother’s promptings to perform this miracle.
Could the real miracle have been the opening of the disciples’ eyes, their hearts and minds? They came to believe in him and glimpsed what he could do, which might be far more important than water changed into wine. They, in Cana, get a small glimpse (and will still get many more!) into the true identity of Jesus. Does this mean that the disciples are themselves the “new wine” because they emerge with eyes, hearts and minds opened?
What does this say to us? It presents us with a significant challenge: If we truly “believed in him”, we would have our eyes, hearts and minds opened. We would see ourselves and others differently – as God sees. We would be bold and confident about ourselves and the mission that the Lord gives us in our world today. Would we not be more assertive, therefore, in our fight for justice? Work against all that divides people? Include all those so easily excluded in our society in the name of religion
or law?
Jesus invites us to see his glory and then claim our true identity: sons and daughters of God. When we do this, we too become “new wine” and offer those around us and the world the best wine.
Take time today to ask what becoming “new wine” would look like for you at this time in your life.
Are you open to becoming “new wine” for others and the world?
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Lord Jesus,
In you, we see who we are.
Our true identity is found in you, in the glory you revealed.
We are all daughters and sons of God.
When we believe in you, we realise
that we are set apart and should be different.
Help me become new wine, the best wine,
for all those I meet.
May others, through me,
experience the new life and love
that you offer to every person
made in God’s image and likeness.
Amen.
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Reflection prepared by Russell Pollitt SJ
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Eight-day individually guided silent retreat will be offered from 11-20 March 2022 at St Ignatius House, Auckland Park.
This silent individually-guided retreat is an opportunity to focus on discovering God's invitation to you at this time in your life.
Come away and rest from your daily routine so that you can listen to God with the support of daily meetings with a trained retreat guide.
St Ignatius House offers single rooms with en-suite bathrooms, spacious gardens with beautiful views and quiet spaces to pray. The community chapel is the perfect space for reflection.
COST: R12,350 all inclusive. (Early bird R10,275 – book before 28 January)
To Book: e-mail retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za
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