A not so religious act
“There was a wedding in Galilee.” So begins this account that tells us of something unexpected and surprising. The God-sent Jesus’ first public intervention has nothing that is religious about it. It does not happen in a sacred place. Jesus inaugurates his prophetic activity by “saving” a wedding that could have ended very badly. Wedding celebrations were what everybody in those poor villages in Galilee valued most. For several days, family and friends accompanied the newlyweds, eating and drinking with them, dancing joyfully and singing love songs.
The Gospel of John tells us that it was at one of these weddings that Jesus did his “first sign,” the sign that offers us the key to understand the totality of his actions and the profound meaning of his saving mission.
The evangelist John does not speak of “miracles.” He always calls Jesus’ surprising deeds “signs.” He does not want his readers to get hung up on the wonderful that there can be in his action. He invites us to discover its deeper meaning. For this, he offers us some clues that are symbolic. Let us look at just one.
The mother of Jesus, attentive to the details of the celebration, realizes that “they have no wine” and points it out to her son. Perhaps the bride and groom are poor and find themselves facing an overflow of guests. Mary is concerned. The party is in danger. How can a wedding be complete without wine? She puts her trust in Jesus.
The peasants of Galilee very well knew wine to be a symbol of joy and love. Everyone understood it so. If joy and love are missing in life, what can loving togetherness turn into in the end? Mary is not mistaken. Jesus intervenes to save the celebration by providing abundant and high-quality wine.
This deed of Jesus helps us grasp what his whole life is geared towards and what is the basic content of his project of the Kingdom of God. While religious leaders and the teachers of the law are concerned with religion, Jesus dedicates himself to making people’s lives more human and bearable.
The Gospels present Jesus as focused, not on religion, but on life. He is not only for religious and pious folks. He is also for those who are disappointed with religion, yet feel the need to live in a more dignified and happier manner. Why? Because Jesus infects people with faith in a God in whom they can put their trust and with whom they can live joyfully, also because he draws them to a more generous life that is energized by a solidarity-oriented love.
José Antonio Pagola
January 20, 2013
2 Ordinary Time (C)
John 2:1-11