READ
JN 2:1-11
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.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”UNDERSTAND
by Father Greg Friedman, OFM In most cultures a wedding is a big deal—and sometimes a source of anxiety. Like other priests, I’ve participated in wedding planning and have listened to brides and grooms—and their anxious parents—worry about making sure the celebration at church and the reception afterward express the joy and importance of the occasion. And I suspect many of them will no doubt identify with today’s Gospel story, the wedding feast of Cana. We all know the story about how the wine was running out, and how Jesus’ mother took the problem to him. The miracle of the water become wine—and good wine at that—is a charming story, to be sure. But there’s a deeper dimension. The Gospel according to John is a story of revelation: In its opening words the Gospel tells us about the Word made Flesh. God has come among us in the person of Jesus Christ. The stories and sayings of Jesus which follow are written to allow us to encounter Jesus as the One come from God. Jesus is revealing his glory to those who would accept him. And it’s appropriate that the beginning of Jesus’ signs—as John describes this event at Cana—happens in the very human setting of a wedding—a celebration of human life, joy, and the goodness of God’s creation. To find God present, we need only to look for the signs of divinity which are present all around us.DISCUSS
by Father Dan Kroger, OFM- In the first reading, the prophet continues to speak of Jerusalem and of how it will be given a new name. No longer will people call Jerusalem forsaken and desolate. What will be the new names that will be given to Jerusalem and the land around it? What image does Isaiah use to compare Jerusalem’s relationship to God?
- This week’s second reading has Paul talking about the different kinds of gifts given by the Holy Spirit. What are some of the gifts that he names? What is the purpose of various people receiving these gifts? What does Paul say?
- Where was the wedding celebration that Jesus and his disciples were invited to attend in this week’s Gospel? What problem did the host family face? What did Mary, his mother, say to Jesus about that problem? How did Jesus respond to that problem? What did he first say to his mother? What did his mother say to the ones serving the wedding banquet? Then what happened?
ACT
by Susan Hines-Brigger- At the wedding, Jesus turned water into wine. While you can’t do that, you can try some experiments with changing what water looks like. Drop some food coloring into a glass or bottle of water and see what it looks like.
- Ask your parents or grandparents to show you pictures of their wedding. Have them tell you about their reception. Did anything exciting happen, like the one in this week’s Gospel?
- Draw a picture of what you think the wedding scene at Cana looked like. It was probably much different than the weddings we are used to seeing. Imagine what the bride was wearing and or what they would have eaten and draw the scene.
