Today’s second reading, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, is the beautiful explanation of the spiritual gifts given us by God. In the NAB Bible footnotes, the Bible scholars explain that the Corinthian believers were holding those who exhibited externally visible spiritual gifts, specifically tongues, above all others. St. Paul was correcting this error in this letter. His beautiful section on the many gifts, but the same Lord, was a teaching and a gentle rebuke. We are to hold all our spiritual gifts in high esteem, as they are all given to us by the Holy Spirit, and we are to use them for the good of our Church.
The Gospel of John
John’s Gospel was written with the emphasis on seven signs. This miracle at Cana was the first sign.
All seven signs are:
- Turning water into wine at Cana.
- Healing the royal official’s son at Capernaum.
- Healing the paralyzed man at Bethesda on the Sabbath (which led to much debate with Jewish leaders).
- Feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.
- Jesus walking on water.
- Healing the man born blind (also on the Sabbath which led to more conflict with Jewish leadership.)
- Raising Lazarus from the dead.
Each of these signs were given as a testimony to Jesus’s divinity. John said Jesus performed other signs, but these were the ones the Gospel writer chose to demonstrate Jesus’s ministry.
Cultural Tidbits
Wine was drunk quite often in Jesus’s time. When fresh water was scarce or impure, wine replaced it. People in Biblical times did not know exactly why, as germs were not discovered until 1880, but even Paul told Timothy: “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Tim. 5:23).
Jesus addressed His mother as “Woman,” but this translation can be a bit misleading, in the sense that in English, it sounds disrespectful. It is the Greek word “gunai,” which is used twice, first during this week’s Gospel and in John 19:26–27 when Jesus is crucified and He has John care for Mary. It is akin to “Ma’am” or “Madam,” and it was a respectful address.
A Nudge From Mom
At this point, Jesus had five disciples, Peter, Andrew, John, Phillip, and Bartholomew. The wedding was likely for a relative of Jesus and Mary, and Jesus possibly bringing disciples may have contributed to them running out of wine. It is through Mary’s intercession that Jesus acts, even though He told her “My hour has not come.” She turns to the staff there and tells them, “Do whatever He tells you.” This is an amazing exchange that encourages us to ask Mary to intercede for us. When we pray with Mary and ask for her intercession, she will help us draw closer to Jesus.
Look Here for More
These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.
Whenever you see an asterisk, there are Bible footnotes. Check them out for more insights.
