Probably one of the most underrated miracles of Jesus and one of the most misunderstood miracles is what we encounter in the gospel reading this Sunday (Jn 2:1-11) — “The Miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana.” (It’s actually my favorite miracle, though ;-). This miracle is misunderstood because we forget the significance of a Jewish wedding. A Jewish wedding would last for at least a week — if not longer. If a couple ran out of wine, it was going to be a major disaster. And so, when at the request of His Blessed Mother, Jesus changes 120-180 gallons of water into wine — into superior wine — this really saves the couple a lot of embarrassment. And it would be one of the greatest wedding receptions of all time!
There are so many theological and spiritual layers to this miracle. Traditional reflection on this passage recognizes that Christ’s presence at the Wedding at Cana is itself a sanctification of matrimony. Therefore, I would like to focus on the Sacrament of Matrimony and how Mother Church is always merciful to the difficulties of living this vocation well.
As a pastor, probably the most important issues that confront me relate to marriage and the family. The sacrament of matrimony is such a beautiful sacrament but also probably the most difficult sacrament to live. Marriage reflects God since man and woman were made in the image of the Trinity. God instituted marriage so that He might populate earth and so populate heaven. Marriage is a sacrament because the love between husband and wife should reflect the love of Christ and His Church. On the natural level, there is nothing more important than marriage — and with it, the marital embrace and the making of a family.
As much as this is true, we know it does not always work out this way. In fact, many do not receive Holy Communion due to sins against marriage. Very simply, there are two categories of sins involving marriage and the marital act: The first are what we call “attempting marriage”, which means a Catholic participating in a marriage ceremony outside the law of the Church, whether they do so before a judge or non-Catholic representative; or if they are not free to marry, such as still being bound to someone from a previous marriage. This sin is different from the other kind of sin, which is choosing to use their sexuality in a way other than what God intended, namely, with one’s spouse and always open to the transmission of life.
God’s gift is fairly simple and straight-forward, but our lives are complicated, so let us look at what this means: Being divorced by someone else is not a sin and does not separate us from the love of God and Holy Communion. Divorcing someone for your protection or for the protection of your children is not a sin. Being separated from one’s spouse for a good reason is not a sin. Someone who has desires to commit sin (whether with those of the same or opposite sex), as long as they do not give in to these desires in their minds and hearts, do not commit sin and do not separate themselves from the Love of God and Holy Communion. However, attempting marriage outside the Church is always a sin; and if you have been married in the Church but not received a declaration of nullity, you are not free to “marry.” If you need direction in this process, I will be happy to meet with you and accompany you.
Finally, if you are living as husband and wife, but are not husband and wife, then let us help you become husband and wife! If you are not able to get a marriage license, the Church can work with you. If you are simply hesitant, then know that there is no need to fear! Marriage is a sacrament for a reason. You need the grace. Marriage is difficult enough as it is, why try and live marriage cut off from God’s grace in that important Sacrament? Remember, that which separates us from Holy Communion can also cut us off from eternal life! Christ instituted the Sacrament of Matrimony so that husband and wife could help each other and their children to enter heaven. And yet, it is so difficult and we make mistakes. We pray in this Sunday’s Mass that families may experience mercy from God and mercy from each other.