Breaking the Word

Christmas Weekday, Saturday – 06^th January 2023 — Gospel: John 2,1-11

Standing together in Redemption

The miracle at Cana or changing water into wine is found only in the Gospel of John and is the first of seven miracles in that Gospel. By this John wants to communicate the abundance that is available in Jesus. Jesus wants to give freely and give to all. The setting of this miracle in the context of a marriage feast also increases the note of celebration and abundance. Mary draws Jesus’ attention to the lack of wine. She makes no explicit request of Him. However, the manner in which Jesus responds to her indicates that her words may have carried the connotation of asking Him to intervene.  The mother of Jesus, “Mary” is never referred to by name in the Gospel of John and Jesus addresses her twice in the Gospel and both times as “Woman”. Jesus’ addressing his mother as “Woman” signifies that she is the new Eve who, together with her Divine Son, will crush the Serpent’s head, releasing human beings from the bondage of sin. As in this miracle, Mary stands together with her son, the Saviour of mankind, cooperating with Him, working for the redemption of Humanity.

Christmas Weekday, Thursday – 05^th January 2022 — Gospel: John 1,43-51

Drawing others to Cherished Treasure

In this encounter, Jesus invites Philip to discipleship. As a result, Philip discovers in himself a great treasure of which he cannot remain silent. He wants another to know and encounter Jesus. Thus, he finds Nathanael and bears witness about Jesus. He knows that personal experience is more powerful than words, so he brings Nathanael to meet Jesus. This he does in two ways. He first points out Jesus as the fulfillment of all scripture and then he refers to him as “Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth.” This witness seems to bring out both divine and human origins of Jesus and once again reminds us of the mystery that Jesus is and continues to be. When Nathanael reacts skeptically, Philip doesn’t give up. He doesn’t argue about Nathanael’s resistance, but responds in the words that Jesus had used to invite the first two disciples, “Come and see.”