They Have No Wine.
Dear Parishioners,
We are still basking in the splendor of Christmas joy. Therefore, it is appropriate to re-echo the joyful expressions of the psalmist that call us to proclaim the marvelous deeds of the Lord to all the nations. St. Paul reminds us that “God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now Jesus takes us into his public life. The hidden years in Nazareth are over. It started with his baptism at the River Jordan in the hands of John the Baptist. He was introduced to us as the beloved son of God.
His first manifestation of his divine power happened at a marriage ceremony. At the request of Mary, his mother, Jesus intervened and saved the wedding feast from being cut short. What a beautiful intervention. He saved the day by changing water to fine quality wine. He protected the wedding couple from embarrassment and shame. Had they run out of wine, the joyful atmosphere would have come to a sudden end. This first miracle tipped his hands, for us to see what he brings for humanity.
It was Mary who alerted her son Jesus that the supply was running out. Till today, Mary continues to intercede for us. She rightly earns these titles, Mother of our Perpetual Help and Our Lady Help of Christians. The lack of wine symbolizes something far more. Those who were at the wedding feast and the entire Israel lacked something else besides wine.
For many years, people have been waiting for God to manifest himself, but they have been disappointed in their hope. The prophet Isaiah expressed the long-awaited hopes of his people: “No more shall people call you “Forsaken, or your land “Desolate,” but you shall be called “My Delight, and your land “Espoused.”
As we journey with him, Jesus will lament over the spiritual misery of his people. He will pity and compare them to sheep without a shepherd. How fortunate we are to hear Mary say to her son “They have no more wine.” Mary is attentive to our needs and even provides a solution. We, as members of Christ church, must be attentive to the needs, sufferings and agonies of others. Mary showed us what to do by pointing us to Jesus, as our hope and our Savior. She gives the church a model to emulate.
The Church learns from her how to intercede for the poor, the lost and the suffering. Mary says to the attendants, “Do whatever he tells you.” She is telling us what she had lived. She was obedient to whatever God asked of her. She was faithful, even when what was asked of her didn’t make sense. She did not disobey the Lord’s commandment. As a result, she too earned the title “My Delight” and “Espoused.”
The same applies to us if we are receptive to God’s word and assimilate it fully. Only then can we be called God’s Delight and Espoused. We become a new wine. Faith in Jesus produces a quality wine that never runs out. Yes, he turns ordinary water to tasty wine. Jesus has come to transform us from our ordinary lives to lives filled with glory and peace.
The Apostles became believers, having experienced his glory. They found in Jesus proof of God’s love for all men and for each individual. What about you? Is your wine running out? Saint Paul speaks to us about the Spirit that Jesus gives. The coming of Jesus proves that God has turned his attention to us once again. The Spirit is given for our common good. Like the wine, it flows to nourish us and transform the world. You too can be the good wine that the world drinks.
God’s love in us must be extended to others. It is not enough to say that we love God; it must be demonstrated through our good works. For those who feel tired, discouraged and spent, Jesus will replenish you.
Sincerely Yours In Christ,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
