Today is Jan. 4, the memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
At Mass today, we read, “Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah,’ which is translated Christ.”
As we bask in the light of the Christmas season, reflecting on the profound mystery of the Incarnation, we are drawn deeper into the life and mission of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. One of the most significant events early in His public ministry — the miracle at the wedding feast at Cana — reveals to us all the transformative power of His grace.
The Gospel of John recounts how Jesus, at the gentle prompting of His mother, turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana. This was His first public miracle: a revelation of His glory. In this act, Jesus did more than meet the immediate need of the hosts; He signaled the beginning of His mission to renew and transform humanity. The water jars, intended for Jewish rites of purification, were filled to the brim with wine, symbolizing the overflowing joy and grace of the New Covenant.
What is less widely known is that this miracle was, for a long time in the West, included in the liturgical celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany. Alongside the visit of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, the wedding at Cana was once included in the liturgical commemoration of the Epiphany as one of the key moments when Christ’s divinity was revealed to the world. Together, these events illuminated the breadth and depth of His mission: to draw all nations to Himself, to establish a new baptismal covenant and to provide for His people in abundance.
A ‘fulfillment of the Christmas promise’
In the miracle at Cana, we glimpse the fulfillment of the Christmas promise: the God who took on flesh to dwell among us is also the God who transforms our lives. Jesus takes the ordinary elements of our existence — our “water” — and turns them into the finest “wine,” if we only invite Him into the celebrations, challenges and daily workings of our lives.
Moreover, the role of Mary in this miracle highlights the importance of her maternal intercession. Her simple yet profound words, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5), remain a guiding principle for all disciples. She invites us to trust completely in her Son’s providence, even when the outcome seems uncertain.
As we journey through the Christmas season, let us look to the miracle at Cana as a sign of hope and renewal. Those who witnessed this sign were transformed; may our faith deepen as we recognize the Lord’s hand at work in our own lives. May the new wine of His grace flow abundantly in our lives, filling us with joy and drawing us ever closer to Him.
Let us pray,
O God, who crowned with the gift of true faith Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s burning zeal to find you, grant by her intercession and example that we may always seek you with diligent love and find you in daily service with sincere faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
