Posted by The WORD in other words (2010) by Father Bernard Collar SVD – Saint Jude Catholic School, Manila
Monday 4th Week of Lent
The Gospel of John presents us with signs — not mere miracles, but revelations of who Jesus is and what He brings. Today we connect the first sign, the changing of water into wine at Cana, with the second sign, the healing of the royal official’s son. Together, they unveil the heart of the Gospel: life, joy, and resurrection through Christ.
The First Sign: Water into Wine
At Cana, Jesus transformed ordinary water into wine — a symbol of abundance, harvest, and celebration. Wine at a wedding feast is more than refreshment; it is a sign of joy, of covenant, of God’s presence. The miracle proclaims: the Bridegroom has arrived. Jesus is with us, and His coming is cause for celebration. What was simple and scarce — water — becomes rich and overflowing — wine. Grace transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The Second Sign: Healing the Son
In the second sign, Jesus heals the son of a royal official. This miracle is not about celebration but about life itself. It reveals the Father’s love for the Son, and through the Son, for all humanity. Even in the face of disbelief and rejection, God’s love ensures life. This sign foreshadows the resurrection: the Father raising His Son from death, so that all who believe may rise with Him.
The Connection: Celebration and Resurrection
The two signs together proclaim the fullness of Christ’s mission. In Him, we celebrate life — wine overflowing at the feast. In Him, we are assured of eternal life — the Son raised from death. Jesus Himself declared: “I came that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
The signs remind us that grace is unasked, undeserved, yet freely given. Like David chosen as king, like the blind man given sight, like the official’s son restored to life — we too receive grace without asking. Our response is to rejoice, to believe, and to live in hope of eternal life.
“Lord Jesus, You are the Bridegroom who brings joy and the Son who brings life. Teach me to celebrate Your presence and to trust in Your promise of resurrection.”
