Epiphany III- John 2:1-11

 The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany(in the 1928 BCP) is the account of the miracle of the water turned into wine  (John 2:1-11). This story has several associations. One point is that Christ graced the wedding with His presence and blessing, and there are times when we do well to focus on that connection. However, the central point of the story in John's Gospel, especially at this time in the church year, lies elsewhere.

The key issue is Christ's action and His disciples' response to Him. The miracle is a sign of who Jesus is. He is God's anointed, and He is Lord over creation. He transforms the purification waters of the Mosaic covenant into the best wine of the new covenant. He manifests His glory, "and His disciples believed in Him" (John 2:11). 

Although the disciples are slow to grow in faith, here they make an appropriate response. They see that God is working through Jesus in a unique way. The disciples respond in faith to this epiphany or manifestation of divine glory. May we also respond to such signs by faith in Christ!

Epiphany III- The Wedding at Cana- John 2:1-11

 In the 1928 BCP, the Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany is from St. John 2:1-11. (In the 1549, 1662, and 1962 Canadian Prayer Books, this reading is for Epiphany II).  Like other Epiphany readings, it has the theme of epiphany or manifestation.  The story of Jesus turning water into wine is a sign.  This miracle points to Jesus as the Lord of creation who can do things that no one else can. There are also other themes in the passage such as the transformation of traditional Jewish rituals into the "new wine" of the Gospel. There is also the response of the disciples. As John 2:11 concludes, "... his disciples believed on him."

This time, I would focus on another theme related to this Gospel; that is, marriage, The account of the Wedding at Cana is familiar to some because of its mention in the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. This event, along with other passages of Scripture, is one indication of our Lord's honor for traditional marriage between a man and a woman. Such marriage was established at the creation of humanity, and while our Lord and His followers value celibacy as a way of serving the divine kingdom, it is clear that loyalty within a marriage between one man and one woman is the ideal to be pursued by most human beings. Traditional monogamous marriage is the context in which most people serve God. 

Thus, Christ "adorned and beautified" this holy estate "with His presence and first miracle which He wrought in Cana of Galilee" (1928 BCP, p. 300). In other words, Jesus' presence and the miracle at the wedding are not accidents. Although our Lord is pursuing high spiritual goals, He does not despise an ordinary village wedding. He publically honors the institution of marriage by His presence, and He works behind the scenes to bring joy and blessing to the couple and the community. Likewise, despite the foibles and failings of men and women, we should respect marriage as a holy estate established by God.

Third Sunday after Epiphany

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer shifted the traditional Gospel (St. John 2:1ff) from the Second Sunday after Epiphany to this Sunday. Since in this particular year the Prayer Book season of Epiphany is ending this week, the themes of this Gospel have a heightened significance in our meditations. The account of the Wedding at Cana is sometimes familiar because of its mention in the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. Certainly, we can take this event as one indication, among others, of our Lord's honor for traditional marriage. In addition, the story points to Jesus as Lord of creation who can do things that no one else can. There are also other themes in the passage such as the transformation of traditional Jewish rituals into the "new wine" of the Gospel- and indeed not just any wine but the best wine. All of these themes point to the conclusion in St. John 2:11- "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him." 

Like other Epiphany readings, this Gospel has the theme of manifestation or epiphany. Even as a wedding guest, Jesus shows forth divine glory. The miracle is a sign; it leads His disciples to believe. They certainly do not understand everything, but they do have faith in Him. All of God's works of creation, redemption, and sanctification can be signs for us. One of their great purposes is to lead us to believe in Christ Jesus. And in faith, this week, we can end the season of Epiphany saying the antiphon that we started with: "The Lord hath manifested forth his glory; O come, let us adore him."