Three days after calling Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanial to be disciples, Jesus took them to a wedding at Cana. They were all invited. In the Aramaic language the word for wedding feast had the same root as the word drink.
That reminds me of the German word Hochzeit, which roughly translates high time. The point is that Jesus enjoyed life with his newly found disciples. Some may think that he would start them in a minor seminary studying the Talmud, but their first lesson is about joy and living.
After Jesus changed gallons of water into wine, the rejoicing and festivities continued. I can imagine Jesus singing, laughing and celebrating with joy the feast his mother asked him to bless.
Jesus did take time to pray with the apostles and to instruct them. He prepared them for the journey to the Father that all of us are on. But he also pointed out that creation has many gifts for us to enjoy.
The road Jesus asks us to travel is not unlike the road he showed his disciples. As he walks with us, we journey with our fellow pilgrims. It is a journey of love. God's Grace opens our hearts to others so we can share in their joys and sorrows.
We can enrich the lives of our fellow travellers through prayer, loving one another, supporting our families, and seeking justice along the way. The journey is joyful as well as challenging.
Sometimes when the going gets tough, like in a marriage, we simply ask the Lord for more wine. Wine is a wonderful metaphor here, representing the joy of God's blessings in a life filled with love. The sacrament of marriage promises grace and strength when we need it. The journey of the Christian is easier when we ask Jesus for strength and support.
Love is God's gift that we can share with others. Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. Michael Leunig.
One word frees us
Of all the weight and pain in life,
That word is Love. Socrates
And I'd like to conclude with a favourite of mine:
To love a person is to learn the song
That is in their heart,
And to sing it to them
When they have forgotten. Anonymous
