The Entrance to Lent Sunday- A wedding at Cana
Gospel: John 2: 1-11
Reflection 1
From Cana to the Cross-The Journey of Renewal and the New Covenant
Today we begin the season of Lent with the marriage at Cana where Jesus changed water into wine. The season ends with the Cross- where Jesus experiences suffering, death, and resurrection. Between joy and sorrow, death and resurrection, all of our lives are shaped and centered, giving meaning to everything. In this context, the Wedding at Cana, at the entrance of Lent, marks the start of a journey—a journey of fasting, self-reflection, repentance, and joy—leading us toward the Week of Passion and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead.
Through the miracle at Cana, we are called to discover God’s presence and work in the routine of our daily lives, especially in our married life. Jesus transforms the water of purification into wine, symbolising the transformation from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, through the Virgin Mary, the New Eve, from whom He took His body and blood.
This is a sign that Mary's intercession is essential for the work of salvation. This miracle, where Jesus transforms water into wine, not only marks the beginning of His public ministry but also reveals Mary's intercessory nature. As Lent commences, we are invited to reflect on Mary's example of faith and obedience, seeking her intercession in our spiritual journeys.
We are also invited to live more fully in the grace of the New Covenant, especially through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.
Our limitations and emptiness
This miracle reminds us not to rely on our own abilities, as human efforts are limited. The wine running out symbolises our scarcity, but Jesus is always ready to fill our emptiness with His love, joy and forgiveness, transforming our limitations into abundance.
Is Jesus still present in our Maronite weddings today?
As Maronites, we are called to embrace simplicity in our weddings, resisting the societal pressure that often overshadows the true meaning of marriage. We must have the courage to focus on what truly matters—placing Christ at the centre of the celebration. We place too much importance on the pre-wedding party, the flowers, the wedding dress, the cake, the reception and the list goes on.
Sadly, our secular society has distorted the essence of marriage, often making the sacrament feel like an afterthought.
We need to restore the sanctity of the sacrament, ensuring that the wedding is an expression of faith and commitment, not just a superficial event.
A thought of week
Lent…Lent should not be a time when we merely carry out certain practices and rituals. It should be more than that. It should be something which takes place in our hearts. Lent should be an experience, not from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking out, to a world that does not often know what Lent means: prayer, penance and sacrifice. Gwen Simon
Reflection 2
The new wine of the covenant of love
Today we begin the season of Lent with the marriage at Cana where Jesus changed water into wine. So, at the beginning of his ministry, Christ is embarking on a new and intimate relationship with his people – like a marriage. Here Jesus miraculously provides wine where later he will provide his own blood. This miracle marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, the beginning of a new covenant.
Christ is the source of everything
This miracle is about our inner life, and about our way of life. This gospel reminds us that we shouldn’t rely on our own resources because Christ is the source of everything.
The miracle that happened at Cana happens everyday with us because Jesus never gets tired of filling our emptiness with his love, joy and forgiveness.
The new Eve
Jesus performed His first miracle in direct response to Mary’s request. It is through her awareness that Jesus knew about the shortage of wine and performed his miracle. Mary hears herself being called ‘woman’ (the new Eve) and so symbolises humankind’s turn towards the Saviour. She will be present again when Jesus’ hour comes. At the foot of the cross, Mary will become the mother of the people of the New Covenant. It is in this hour that the full wine of the Spirit will be given.
Jesus’ earthly ministry began at the request of His mother, illustrating that Mary had the ability, and continues to have the ability, to intercede for people as she has such a high influence in the eyes of her Son.
A thought for the week
The central mystery of this miracle is not that the water is being changed into wine, but that Jesus is the true bridegroom who has wedded himself to humanity. He is bringing the new wine of the Spirit, the new wine of the covenant of love between God and man.
Is Jesus still present in our Maronite weddings today?
As Maronite, we need to set the stage for simplicity in our weddings. We need to have the courage to stand against the societal pressure. If we place the importance of the wedding on Christ, the focus of the event will not be on the pre-wedding party, the flowers, the wedding dress, the cake, the reception and the list goes on. Unfortunately, our secular society has twisted this around and it is often as if the sacrament of marriage is an after-thought.
Gospel: John 2: 1-11
Reflection 1
From Cana to the Cross-The Journey of Renewal and the New Covenant
Today we begin the season of Lent with the marriage at Cana where Jesus changed water into wine. The season ends with the Cross- where Jesus experiences suffering, death, and resurrection. Between joy and sorrow, death and resurrection, all of our lives are shaped and centered, giving meaning to everything. In this context, the Wedding at Cana, at the entrance of Lent, marks the start of a journey—a journey of fasting, self-reflection, repentance, and joy—leading us toward the Week of Passion and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead.
Through the miracle at Cana, we are called to discover God’s presence and work in the routine of our daily lives, especially in our married life. Jesus transforms the water of purification into wine, symbolising the transformation from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, through the Virgin Mary, the New Eve, from whom He took His body and blood.
This is a sign that Mary's intercession is essential for the work of salvation. This miracle, where Jesus transforms water into wine, not only marks the beginning of His public ministry but also reveals Mary's intercessory nature. As Lent commences, we are invited to reflect on Mary's example of faith and obedience, seeking her intercession in our spiritual journeys.
We are also invited to live more fully in the grace of the New Covenant, especially through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.
Our limitations and emptiness
This miracle reminds us not to rely on our own abilities, as human efforts are limited. The wine running out symbolises our scarcity, but Jesus is always ready to fill our emptiness with His love, joy and forgiveness, transforming our limitations into abundance.
Is Jesus still present in our Maronite weddings today?
As Maronites, we are called to embrace simplicity in our weddings, resisting the societal pressure that often overshadows the true meaning of marriage. We must have the courage to focus on what truly matters—placing Christ at the centre of the celebration. We place too much importance on the pre-wedding party, the flowers, the wedding dress, the cake, the reception and the list goes on.
Sadly, our secular society has distorted the essence of marriage, often making the sacrament feel like an afterthought.
We need to restore the sanctity of the sacrament, ensuring that the wedding is an expression of faith and commitment, not just a superficial event.
A thought of week
Lent…Lent should not be a time when we merely carry out certain practices and rituals. It should be more than that. It should be something which takes place in our hearts. Lent should be an experience, not from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking out, to a world that does not often know what Lent means: prayer, penance and sacrifice. Gwen Simon
Reflection 2
The new wine of the covenant of love
Today we begin the season of Lent with the marriage at Cana where Jesus changed water into wine. So, at the beginning of his ministry, Christ is embarking on a new and intimate relationship with his people – like a marriage. Here Jesus miraculously provides wine where later he will provide his own blood. This miracle marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, the beginning of a new covenant.
Christ is the source of everything
This miracle is about our inner life, and about our way of life. This gospel reminds us that we shouldn’t rely on our own resources because Christ is the source of everything.
The miracle that happened at Cana happens everyday with us because Jesus never gets tired of filling our emptiness with his love, joy and forgiveness.
The new Eve
Jesus performed His first miracle in direct response to Mary’s request. It is through her awareness that Jesus knew about the shortage of wine and performed his miracle. Mary hears herself being called ‘woman’ (the new Eve) and so symbolises humankind’s turn towards the Saviour. She will be present again when Jesus’ hour comes. At the foot of the cross, Mary will become the mother of the people of the New Covenant. It is in this hour that the full wine of the Spirit will be given.
Jesus’ earthly ministry began at the request of His mother, illustrating that Mary had the ability, and continues to have the ability, to intercede for people as she has such a high influence in the eyes of her Son.
A thought for the week
The central mystery of this miracle is not that the water is being changed into wine, but that Jesus is the true bridegroom who has wedded himself to humanity. He is bringing the new wine of the Spirit, the new wine of the covenant of love between God and man.
Is Jesus still present in our Maronite weddings today?
As Maronite, we need to set the stage for simplicity in our weddings. We need to have the courage to stand against the societal pressure. If we place the importance of the wedding on Christ, the focus of the event will not be on the pre-wedding party, the flowers, the wedding dress, the cake, the reception and the list goes on. Unfortunately, our secular society has twisted this around and it is often as if the sacrament of marriage is an after-thought.