Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 16th January

Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 16th January 2022  

 We all know that the great feast of the Epiphany, Easter in Winter, celebrates much more than the coming of the wise men by the following of a star, even if that is the aspect of the feast that everyone concentrates on today. In fact, I would say that half the Christmas cards I receive depict that scene, either the journey across the desert (often a snow-covered desert) or the offering of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Child Jesus. The Epiphany, in fact, commemorates three firsts and not one. But to begin with, on Christmas night the birth of the incarnate Son of God, born in a stable at Bethlehem, is revealed by angels to shepherds out in the fields, who represent the people of Israel. The three wise men or kings represent the Gentiles or pagans, who also bow down and worship, and offer prophetic gifts: gold for a king, frankincense for God and myrrh for a dead body, preparing us for a Saviour who redeems us through the shedding of his Precious Blood. The Epiphany also celebrates the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist, when the heavens opened, the Father’s voice was heard and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. To John and to those who were present, the adult Jesus is revealed as Son of God, and a theophany of the Holy Trinity is seen by John. The third manifestation of Jesus as incarnate Son of God takes place with the very first miracle recorded in John’s Gospel, the changing of water into wine at the Wedding Feast of Cana. Here he manifests his glory to his disciples and they believe in him. Today’s Gospel passage from John, (Jn 2: 1-11), records that Epiphany. Let’s read this wonderful text again.

“There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’

  This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.”

 Just a few points of interest, for there are many more. First of all, we note the importance of Mary at this event. She is placed first as a guest with Jesus and his disciples having a secondary ‘and also’ role. It is she who informs him that they have run out of wine, and does not take no for an answer. He addresses her as woman, indicating that she is the new Eve, the mother of all who believe. Her legacy to the Church and to each one of us are those five brief words she addresses to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” May we always remember Our Lady’s words. Then we have the words of the steward to the bridegroom, “You have kept the best wine till now.” Jesus performs a miracle, but it is he himself who is the best wine kept for the Last Days. He is the best wine, God’s only Son, who ushers in the Kingdom of heaven. The patriarchs, kings and prophets, who came before him, were simply preparing the way for his coming. What is more, at the Last Supper, it will be wine that he changes into his Precious Blood, the blood that will be shed on the cross for our redemption and salvation. There is much to think about, pray over and learn in this third manifestation of the Epiphany and we are blessed to have this Gospel passage today.