YOU HAVE KEPT THE CHOICE WINE UNTIL NOW!
The Wedding Feast of Cana! What a charming story! Each time we read it, we discover a new endearing facet that previously had escaped us. Saint John tells us that the mother of Jesus and His disciples were there and, "Jesus performed this first of His signs."
In reflecting on the Liturgy of the Word, it is important to remember a fundamental rule - - - when relating a past event, the Church communicates a present reality. In this instance, what occurred 1900 years ago is happening now in a mystical, sacramental manner at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At the wedding banquet of Cana, Our Blessed Lord changed water into wine. In the sacramental order, this historical event now becomes a present day reality. Our Lord repeats the miracle in the most sublime manner possible at the Eucharistic Banquet. Then, by an act of His Will, Our Lord changed water into wine. At the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus Christ the Great High Priest, changes wine into His Precious Blood. Through the Priest, who acts "in the very Person of Jesus Christ," wine becomes the Blood of Christ. Now as then, Our Lord keeps the choice Wine until last. It is the best of Wines! It cheers our souls with the divine warmth of Jesus Christ, Who has become our "Spiritual Drink."
Another present day reality took place at Cana, one that the Holy Spirit keeps before us always. Nothing escapes Our Blessed Mother constant concern for her children. She simply brought the problem to her Son: “They have no more wine."
The young, wedding couple did not plan well. To the Eastern mind, a lapse of hospitality is a host’s worst scenario possible. Our Lady's motherly warmth radiated to all, even then. When faced with this dreadful situation, the embarrassed newly weds went to Mary. Unwittingly, they prefigured that which Christians have been doing for two thousand years. Since that day, we know that, "Never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection was left unaided!"
It is important to note how the events unfolded. There was a problem because the time for Our Lord to manifest Himself was not at hand. A miracle now was not within the timeframe set by the Father. When Our Lord responded to His mother: "Woman, how does this concern of yours involve me? My hour has not yet come." Clearly, His answer was no because it was not the time for Him to manifest His Messianic Mission!
Our Lady then did that which only she and she alone could do; she used her mother's prerogative. She turned to the waiter and said: "Do whatever he tells you!" Like each one of us, Jesus could not refuse the request of His mother! And, lest we forget, the Heavenly Father could not refuse her for Mary is the "apple of the Father's eye." The timetable for the Redemption would have to be altered. Through the intercession of our Blessed Lady, water became the choice wine. As she has done from the beginning, Our Lady saved the day!
The Holy Spirit wants the Church to remember this Gospel story always. Peter, John and the other Apostles saw it and they never forgot the important lesson. Neither has the Church. In all of our needs, in all our trials, in all the tears of life, we fly to Our Blessed Mother. With her mother's heart, she hears us. Whenever her children on earth are in difficulty, Our Blessed Mother always says to Jesus: My Son, they have no more wine!"
Father Richard J. Rego, S.T.L.
In reflecting on the Liturgy of the Word, it is important to remember a fundamental rule - - - when relating a past event, the Church communicates a present reality. In this instance, what occurred 1900 years ago is happening now in a mystical, sacramental manner at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At the wedding banquet of Cana, Our Blessed Lord changed water into wine. In the sacramental order, this historical event now becomes a present day reality. Our Lord repeats the miracle in the most sublime manner possible at the Eucharistic Banquet. Then, by an act of His Will, Our Lord changed water into wine. At the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus Christ the Great High Priest, changes wine into His Precious Blood. Through the Priest, who acts "in the very Person of Jesus Christ," wine becomes the Blood of Christ. Now as then, Our Lord keeps the choice Wine until last. It is the best of Wines! It cheers our souls with the divine warmth of Jesus Christ, Who has become our "Spiritual Drink."
Another present day reality took place at Cana, one that the Holy Spirit keeps before us always. Nothing escapes Our Blessed Mother constant concern for her children. She simply brought the problem to her Son: “They have no more wine."
The young, wedding couple did not plan well. To the Eastern mind, a lapse of hospitality is a host’s worst scenario possible. Our Lady's motherly warmth radiated to all, even then. When faced with this dreadful situation, the embarrassed newly weds went to Mary. Unwittingly, they prefigured that which Christians have been doing for two thousand years. Since that day, we know that, "Never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection was left unaided!"
It is important to note how the events unfolded. There was a problem because the time for Our Lord to manifest Himself was not at hand. A miracle now was not within the timeframe set by the Father. When Our Lord responded to His mother: "Woman, how does this concern of yours involve me? My hour has not yet come." Clearly, His answer was no because it was not the time for Him to manifest His Messianic Mission!
Our Lady then did that which only she and she alone could do; she used her mother's prerogative. She turned to the waiter and said: "Do whatever he tells you!" Like each one of us, Jesus could not refuse the request of His mother! And, lest we forget, the Heavenly Father could not refuse her for Mary is the "apple of the Father's eye." The timetable for the Redemption would have to be altered. Through the intercession of our Blessed Lady, water became the choice wine. As she has done from the beginning, Our Lady saved the day!
The Holy Spirit wants the Church to remember this Gospel story always. Peter, John and the other Apostles saw it and they never forgot the important lesson. Neither has the Church. In all of our needs, in all our trials, in all the tears of life, we fly to Our Blessed Mother. With her mother's heart, she hears us. Whenever her children on earth are in difficulty, Our Blessed Mother always says to Jesus: My Son, they have no more wine!"
Father Richard J. Rego, S.T.L.
posted by Fr. Richard J. Rego at 8:30 PM
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