Malankara World

Sermons Based on the Lectionary of the Church

The Water Blushed

by George Vergese, Chennai

The conversion of water to wine, which is today's Evangalion reading - the first day of the Great Lent - has also been described as -

"The conscious water saw its God (Creator) and blushed" by Richard Crashaw, who was an English poet in the 17th Century. He, a person of great faith, used "vibrant stylistic ornamentation" in describing certain Biblical verses. Let us all hope that we too, at the end of the lent, will be able to see our Creator and blush.

A personal thought - Our Lord Jesus Christ, replies our Mother Mary "Woman, (not my mother) what is it to thee or me. In another version, the same sentence has been worded as "Woman, what have I to do with thee" How conveniently these words have been 'slightly' altered to suit some who wish to oppose the Orthodox, Jacobite, Catholic and other similar Christian faiths, which encourage prayers and supplications to the Holy Saints. (Please see commentary below on how this could have come about).

The interpretation of this from the net - Haydocks Catholic Bible Commentary

"Mother, what affair is it of ours if they want wine? Ought we to concern ourselves about that" Others think that He wished, by these words, to let His Mother know that she must not forestall the time appointed by the Heavenly Father, as if her demand were unreasonable and out of time.

Jesus follows up His first sentence by adding "My hour is not yet come".

But (Catholic) Fathers and best commentators understand that He speaks here not as man and Son of Mary, but as God; and in that quality, He observes to His Mother, I have nothing in common with you. It is not for you to prescribe when miracles are to be performed, which are not to be expected in compliance with any human respect. (Meaning that) "I know when my power is to be manifested for the greater Glory of God".

"My hour is not yet come".

The Bible commentary as above on this is : QUOTE - It is not yet time. He waited till the wine was quite done, so that no one should believe that He had only increased the quantity, or had only mixed water with the wine. He would have His first miracle to be incontestable, and that all the company should be witnesses of it. - UNQUOTE.

In spite of both the above statements and the seeming 'hostility' in His replies, He performed the miracle, because His Mother asked. So too when we pray through our Mother Mary and the other Holy Saints, Jesus Christ, even if He may have reservations on doing something that we request to Him through intercession by our Holy Saints, will oblige, if we have faith.

May this Great Lent be a Blessing for all of us.

The water blushed at the house at Cana

Comments by Jose Kurian Puliyeril

My earnest attempt is to add a few lines to the beautiful thoughts presented by Mr. George Varghese, Chennai above. "The conscious water saw its God (Creator) and blushed" This is a real fact and the precious old faith of the Holy Church. Even during the sacrament of Holy Baptism, we hear the celebrant saying: "The water saw thee our Lord". The Holy Church teaches that by the baptism of our Lord, the entire water sources on the face of earth were blessed and sanctified, when our Lord stepped into the water of river of Jordan. As true Christians we cannot get back from the assignment of taking care of the water sources and to maintain them from pollution.

When the water saw its master/creator, a sudden change took place there. The ordinary water without smell, color and special taste achieved all these qualities, as soon as a transformation took place in the water and hence resulted in the formation of wine. This event is considered as the first miracle by our Lord during His blessed Public Mission.

When we read this scriptural portion arranged by our forefathers for the study and meditation of the first day of the fasting, we should not forget the truth that the very purpose of the incarnation of our Lord was the re-installation of mankind in the place from where they were forced to leave due to emergence of selfishness in the first parents. Our Lord and savior appeared with the master plan of salvation of the entire humanity. Our redeemer's original plan of salvation was to redeem the humanity from the bondage of sin and death, by offering His own flesh and blood as the ransom. As per the will of God, Lord Jesus established the Holy Sacraments and Holy Eucharist as the crown of all the Sacraments and entrusted the Holy Church to carry on until His second coming. And the Holy church is following our Lord's command and instruction.

"My hour is not yet come".

The so called 'Public Mission' was the days of preparation of redemption and salvation of the entire mankind and the creation. As it is well known to one and all, the wedding at Cana took place on the first day of our Lord's Public Mission. When St. Mary, mother of God, presented the matter of the shortage of wine in the house of marriage, our Lord might have replied as said above, thinking about the establishment of the Holy Eucharist in which wine is an integral part. Our Lord might have meant that His hour was not yet come to make use of wine as a means of salvation. But still He honored His beloved mother's plea. Lord Jesus converted the water on which the Holy Spirit had moved upon as mentioned in Gen.1: 2 as wine and the wine was converted as His own blood when He established the Holy Eucharist.

See how wonderfully our Church Fathers have arranged the scriptural portion for the meditation and study of the first day of the Great Lent, following the guidelines observed and taught by our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ who observed the 40 days fasting for our sake. When we read about the wine served at the marriage reception hall at Cana, we are obliged to long for the partaking of the life giving Holy Eucharist as our Savior's blood and flesh with repentance, faith and conviction.

May God bless us all.

See Also:

Devotional Thoughts for Kothanae Sunday and the Marriage at Cana
by: Rev. Dr. V Kurian Thomas, Valiyaparambil

Meditation on Kothine Sunday
by HG Yuhanon Mor Meletius

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