The second mystery is the wedding feast at Cana. At this point Jesus has already begun his public ministry, but he had not performed any signs. In the past, God chose opportune moments for prophets perform signs to optimize conversion. In the case of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego, the Babylonian King himself witnessed an angel of the Lord protecting them from harm. King Nebuchadnezzar was so amazed by this that he made a royal decree that every citizen shall pay homage to the God of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego or face dire consequences. Likewise, their friend Daniel met a similar fate with King Darius. The Angel of the Lord protected Daniel from harm, and King Darius made a royal decree that every citizen shall pay homage to Daniel’s God.
Jesus had not had the opportunity to perform a very public sign as of yet. He was certainly not expecting to do so at a family gathering. However, His mother noticed a need, and she brought it to His attention.
Considering the ease at which she gained access to the kitchens to discover the shortage of wine, she must have been well-known to the family, and recognized among the household. She knew that a wedding feast has little to do with the happy couple—unless something went wrong. If something went wrong, it was the couple’s responsibility. It was their shame if someone else did not plan for enough food and wine to last through the evening. Blessed Mother could not have that embarrassment befall an innocent couple on their happy day. Certainly, her Son could understand that. She told her Son that something must be done, and she told the servants to do whatever He told them. Then she left the kitchens.
Jesus was not terribly interested in this mundane dilemma. It was not His time. This small act wasn’t going to further His mission. And as for righting wrongs, there were far greater injustices in the world than a shortage of wine! No one was sending Him off to take care of those! No, He was asked by His mother to do something to prevent public embarrassment—not war, not tyranny, not murder—embarrassment! But, really, what else could He do? It was such a little thing, and it meant so much to His mother. She knew that He could tell the servers to go about their business, but she trusted that He would create more wine. And He did. He told the servants to fill the stone jars with water and take a sample to the headwaiter. In that time, the water had been changed to fine wine, and the couple was saved from inevitable embarrassment.
One benefit of this first miracle was that the apostles bore witness to the events, and they believed. The servers bore witness, and they believed. His ministry had truly begun.
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