Signs are important to us. GPS alone is proof positive of just how important. We look for signs to guide us on our journey or help us find what we want. All signs both good and bad point to something beyond, while good signs always point to the truth and therefore inspire confidence or belief. This is why the evangelist John begins his gospel with a series of seven signs that point to God’s plan of salvation. These signs are the seven wondrous deeds, or miracles of Jesus. With these signs, John aims to inspire belief in Jesus.
The first sign is the transformation of water into wine at Cana (Jn 2:1-11). Running out of wine may not reflect a profound spiritual crisis, but it is a social crisis. For the ancient Hebrews, wine was not only a common part of their meal. Wine was also significant in their worship as a sign of life and blessing from God. The liturgical use of wine and its meaning will take on even greater significance at the Last Supper.
In this light, running out of wine for his wedding guests in the very least created an embarrassing breach of hospitality for the host. When Mary observes this situation, she immediately goes to Jesus and simply says, they have no wine. Her statement is an observation rather than a request, but Jesus gets the message. Mary expects him to do something about it, although what she expects is never revealed.
His first response is to protest with a question about why he should become involved, for his hour has not yet arrived. Jesus wants to know what this problem means for him and for Mary as well. This response calls to mind the response he gave to her when left behind at age 12, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49). Both responses reflect the priority Jesus consistently gives to doing the Father’s will. This also indicates that the full revelation of who he is and what he is about must come later.
In spite of Jesus’ protest, Mary turns to the servers and instructs them to do whatever he tells them. Mary’s instruction to the servers mirrors her own response to the Angel Gabriel, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Mary’s attitude of serenity and acceptance points to Jesus as the one we can follow with trust and abandon (CCC 2674). In fact, Pope Paul VI described Mary as worthy of imitation because she was the first and most perfect disciple of Jesus[1].
The transformation of water into wine symbolizes the entire creative and transforming work that Jesus carried out and continues to carry out among us. This transformation is not only what Jesus did. It also begins to reveal who Jesus is. By focusing on the “who” behind the “what” of each sign, John aims to inspire belief in Jesus, the promised Messiah and gateway to eternal life, who longs to transform the lives of those who follow his way (Jn 20:31).
Throughout his earthly mission, Jesus makes it clear that our own transformation best comes about by imitating the “who” behind the “what” he did (Eph 5:1-2). Although we cannot change water into wine, we can transform the ordinary into the sacred by caring for others in the ordinary circumstances of their lives. The other six signs provide additional bearing for our journey of transformation. We may not be able to cure the sick at a distance merely by our word as Jesus did for the royal official's son, but we can bring comfort and relief to the sick and the homebound. We may not be able to cure hardships and misfortune as Jesus did for the paralytic at the pool, but we can help others carry their burdens. We may not be able to multiply loaves of bread, but we can feed the hungry and clothe the naked. We may not be able to walk on water, but we can guide others to a better path in life. We may not be able to cure the blind, but we can help others to see the light of truth. We may not be able to raise people from the dead, but we can help heal broken spirits and bring hope to those in desperate circumstances. We can be the wine, bringing life and blessing to others.
These are the signs of what Jesus did that show us who Jesus is. These signs also show us what we can do and who we can be through the transformative power of our relationship with Jesus. These powerful signs motivate Paul to write in his letter to the Corinthians, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Cor 12:4-7). By using our gifts in imitation of Jesus, we become a sign and instrument of God’s love in the world. We become more like Jesus who in turn transforms us into who he is—compassionate, loving, nonjudgmental help for others. We just need to follow the signs and do what Jesus tells us.
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