Christmas Weekday
As I reflect on today's gospel passage of the wedding feast, I had a particular line stand out to me. It is when Jesus turns to his mother who is urging him to be the savior of the party and spare the humiliation of the bride and groom who are running out of wine. Jesus seems to be taken aback that this would be his first public miracle, launching him into his true path, and he says "My hour has not yet come."
You would think that Jesus (being God and omniscient) would have control over this. You would think that we take his word for it and let him wait. Yet, he goes forward with his mother Mary’s request. The rest, they say, is history and mystery as the water jugs were filled and turned into the best wine of the whole celebration. This was the moment, the turning point of Jesus' ministry - the hour had finally come.
This leads me to what I have been wondering a lot lately. Has MY hour come already? Have their been multiple hours in my life? Have I been ignoring the urging of the loving care of the motherly spirit instead of trusting like Jesus did with Mary? Am I afraid of the moment, the turning point of my life into something different and new?
What helps me process these questions is the fact that Jesus, in his fully human along with fully divine nature, probably had these questions and worries as well. The Christian breakout TV series "The Chosen" displays this well in their episode on the wedding feast at Cana (season 1, episode 5). It helped me explore and imagine the possible fear and anxiety around this decision Jesus was forced to face. He was not just thinking about turning water into wine. He was probably thinking about his blood poured out on the cross and the persecution along the way.
I, too, have these concerns when thinking about my own "hour" (more like hours) of life that are filled with pressure. I not only think about the current moment, but everything that may or may not happen due to answering the call. Honestly, I don't know if I have done the right thing like Christ. But I do my best to not let guilt and shame creep in as I have faith that Jesus felt these same fears and is with me while on my journey.
I may not be turning literal water into wine. I may not be some miraculous Savior of parties or souls. But I share in the humanity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He chose to share those feelings with us. And so, He is with me and with all of us during whatever hour we are in.
-Joe Oliveri