With Opened Bible
A Wedding at Cana in Galilee
“There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee…” (John 2, 1)
What is the spiritual meaning of marriage in the Bible? Beyond its legal and social implications, marriage holds its true significance as it mirrors the profound bond between God and his People. In the Old Testament, akin to the ancient East, each nation or people had a spiritual spouse.
The Old Testament uses the term "Baal" to denote the god-spouse of a nation or a people. This can be termed a "mystical marriage." Yahweh, the God of Israel, is her husband. Israel was betrothed to him the day he delivered her from the land of Egypt. Just as a husband lovingly cares for his wife, the God of Abraham married and protected his people, showering them with divine love and care. (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 31:31-32)
If, in the Old Testament, God is the husband of his People, this title will be transferred to Jesus in the New Testament. The husband of the New Israel, which is the Church, is Jesus. (Matthew 9:15; John 3:29) Also, the apostle of the Nations, Saint Paul, encourages husbands to imitate Christ in their way of loving and serving their wives: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her.' (Ephesians 5:25)
On this second ordinary Sunday, C, the image of the wedding at Cana, points us towards the future of the world and the Church. A day will come when the Bridegroom (Jesus) will himself be the provider of the new wine. This is already a reflection of the Eucharist, the supreme place where Jesus gives himself and nourishes his People, giving them a taste of the eternal union.
None of the gospels mention the wedding at Cana but John's. He is also the only one to elaborate extensively on the discourse of the bread of life in John chapter 6. At Cana, it was not only the celebration of an ordinary marriage between a man and a woman that was celebrated. But it is, above all, a foretaste of what awaits us on the Mountain of the Lord, a place of joy and endless peace, where there will be no more tears, pain, or suffering. It is the ultimate union with God: 'Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.'" He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God." (Revelation 21,9-10)
Every Eucharist is a glimpse of the eternal wedding of the Lamb. For those fortunate enough to partake in it, strive to be worthy of it by adorning the necessary clothing that grants you access to it. (Matthew 22,11)
