Submitted by Jan on Tue, 12/01/2016 – 11:50
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Year C (2015-2016)
Bible Book: John
Chapter: 2
Verse: 1 – 11

Today’s well known reading ends with verse 11: 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. (NIV)

I wonder what we would have thought if we heard this text for the very first time and did not know what it referred to. What would this first glimpse of the glory of the Christ be? How would Jesus first reveal himself?

Many of us would expect this to be something deeply spiritual. We would expect to hear how Jesus led someone to know God, or to admit their sins. Maybe it would be a ‘dramatic’ miracle, like raising someone from the dead.

But once again God is revealed as totally different than we expect.

When God becomes Human, God’s glory is revealed when Jesus responds to down to earth, practical and physical requests.

Mary brings the need for wine before Jesus. Even though He says that His time has not come, He responds. He saves the bridegroom from embarrassment, He ensures that the guests can celebrate, He ensures that the special day is not spoilt.

This text reminds me that Jesus entered into the everyday life of His time, that he joined in the day to day celebrations, that He cared to make the ordinary celebrations a success. Jesus was concerned with the everyday lives of people.

It also reminds me that there was someone else who brought the need before Jesus. Mary asked Jesus to become involved, but she did not stop there. She also prepared the way for Jesus and ensured that the servants knew what to do. Mary was an active role player in this revelation of God’s glory.

To think about: Is there an “every-day need” where you can become involved in someone’s life today so that they might see the glory of God?

Author: van Rooyen L (Ms)