We Are All Earthen Vessels Standing in a Row

“There were six earthen vessels standing in a row.” (Jn. 2:6)

 We Are All Earthen Vessels Standing in a Row.

January 20, 2013, The wedding feast at Cana

Isaiah 62:1-5   II Corinthians 12:4-11    John 2:1-11

First reading from Isaiah

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory; you shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “ or your land “Desolate, “ but you shall be called “My Delight, “ and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Alleluia, alleluia.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

 On the third day 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 out during the festivities, Jesus’ mother came to Him with the problem. “I can’t help you now,” He said. “It isn’t my time yet for miracles.” That, however, didn’t stop Jesus’ mother. She told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Now nearby there were six earthen vessels standing in a row which were used for Jewish ceremonial washings, and which held perhaps 20 to 30 gallons each.  Jesus told the servants to fill them to the brim with water. When this was done He told them, “Now dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” When the master of ceremonies tasted the water made wine, not knowing where it came from (though, of course, the servants did), he called the bridegroom over. “This is wonderful stuff!” he exclaimed. “You’re different from other hosts! Usually they use the best wine first, and afterwards, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, then they bring out the less expensive stuff. But you have saved the best wine for last.” This miracle at Cana in Galilee was the first of Jesus’ signs. It manifested his glory, and because of it his disciples believed in Him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Introduction

Cana: the first of Jesus’ signs

Today, January 20, 2013, is the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time in Cycle C. Cycle C usually takes the gospel readings from evangelist Luke. Occasionally, however, the gospel is taken from evangelist John, as is the case this Sunday.

Epiphany is a Greek word meaning `a manifestation.’ The Lord’s baptism (last Sunday) was an Epiphany - a manifestation. After Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” (Lk. 3: 22)  The wedding feast at Cana (this Sunday) was also an Epiphany – a manifestation. John writes:”This miracle at Cana in Galilee was the first of Jesus’ signs. It manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in Him.” (Jn. 2:11)

Down-to-earth meanings of Cana

There are various down-to-earth meanings in the story of the wedding at Cana. For some Cana is a sign of Jesus and Mary’s sensitivity toward an embarrassed bridegroom, whose wedding party is running out of wine. For others Cana highlights the human side of Jesus and Mary who believe in human celebration, and who are ready to help it along with the fuel of celebration - wine. Still others see in Cana the dignity of marriage affirmed by the presence of Jesus and his mother. Finally, for the Eastern and Western Church Cana is a justification for their great devotion to Mary and for their belief in her intercessory power before her Son. ”They have no wine,” Mary intercedes with Jesus, and He changes 20 to 30 gallons of water into wine.

The mystical meaning of Cana

Sometimes, and maybe even often, we hear the preacher on Cana Sunday make the point that Jesus and his mother Mary were concerned about the wine running out at the wedding feast and the embarrassment that would cause the host. And the preacher leaves you feeling that that’s the sum total meaning of Cana.

 

But this is the gospel of St. John the mystic, and there is a mystical and richer meaning flowing in those six earthen vessels standing in a row, once filled with water but now filled to the brim with wine. Mystic John is not simply relating here a raw miracle which changes 120 gallons of water in six earthen vessels into 120 gallons of wine in order to relieve the embarrassment of the host, and to slake the thirst for celebration at a wedding.

Conclusion

Earthen vessels standing in a row

Mystic John’s account of the wedding feast of Cana says something much more profound than that. It says:

We are all earthen vessels standing in a row,

sooner or later filled with a feeling of emptiness.

We are all earthen vessels standing in a row,

empty and waiting to be filled with water and then a miracle.

We are all earthen vessels standing in a row,

waiting to be filled with wine that won’t run out on us. 

We are all earthen vessels standing in a row,

waiting to be filled with the fine wines of Isaiah (25: 6ff) -

with Bordeauxs and Beaujolais and Sauvignons

We are all earthen vessels standing in a row,

hoping against hope and believing with faith,

that the best wine is being saved for last.