Now there were in the room six water-jars[1] of stone, containing two or three measures[2] apiece. Jesus gave orders to the waiters: “Fill the water-pots with water.” They immediately filled them to the brim. He then said to them: “Draw out[3] now, and carry to the chief steward[4] of the feast.”
They did so; and the steward, not knowing whence the wine was, said to the bridegroom: “Every man at first sets forth good wine, and later on that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine[5] until now.” This first miracle Jesus wrought in Cana of Galilee, at the request of His Blessed Mother; and His disciples, seeing His divine power, believed in Him[6].
COMMENTARY.
The object of our Lord's miracles. We can see clearly by this story the reason why our Lord worked miracles. His first object was to induce men to believe in the divinity of His mission and in the truth of His doctrine (see the words of Nicodemus, chapter XV: “No man can do these miracles which Thou doest, unless God be with Him”). If God were with Jesus, then everything which He taught must be true, because God is only with what is true. The second object of our Lord’s miracles was to instruct men not only by words, but by deeds also. The miracle at Cana teaches us that we ought, according to our means, to help our neighbours in their necessities. It is also typical of that great and lasting miracle of divine love, power and wisdom, the changing of bread into the Body of our Lord Jesus, and of wine into His Blood.
- ↑ Water-jars. These jars contained water in which the guests washed their hands, and if they came from a distance, their feet also, before eating.
- ↑ Three measures. Or about nine gallons. The six jars together held more than fifty gallons. The carrying of so much water took some time, and aroused general attention. All those present must have said to themselves: “Why is so much water being brought in?”
- ↑ Draw out. The wine was usually transferred from the large vessels into flagons by means of spoons.
- ↑ Chief steward, His duty was to superintend the distribution of the food and drink. Usually a kinsman of the bridegroom filled this post.
- ↑ The good wine. Our Lord had changed the water into wine by His mere will, without speaking a word. We know that this wine must have been exceptionally good, by what the steward said to the bridegroom. We can imagine the bridegroom’s reply to the reproach of the chief steward: “This wine is not mine: I do not know whence it comes.” Then the waiters were questioned, and related the whole proceeding.
- ↑ Believed in Him. But did not they already believe in Him? Yes, indeed; but hitherto their faith had been mostly based on the testimony of the Baptist; now, however, they acknowledged His glory on account of the great miracle which He had worked, and which mightily confirmed their faith.
