The Second Sunday After The Epiphany, The Gospel John.2.v.42.The Sunday Meditation: A Plaine Path-Way To Heaven By Fr.Thomas Hill 1634

BOSCH, Hieronymus 
Marriage Feast at Cana

GOSPEL (John 2:1-11) 
At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: "They have no wine." And Jesus saith to her: "Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come." His mother saith to the waiters: "Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: "Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast." And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: "Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now." This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Considerations for Sunday

And there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee.

This marriage and first miracle, and the baptizing of Christ by Saint John, were upon the day of the Epiphany, or apparition of our Lord to the three Kings, commonly called Twelve day: not the same day it self. and year, but the same day of the year, thirty years after; these three mysteries, I say, were all upon one, and the same day, and yet our holy Mother the Church in her Service celebrate the memory of them on several days, but all three as appeareth in their several gospels immediately one after another, to wit first of the three Kings upon twelve day; the next that is to say the Octave day of the Epiphany of the baptizing of Christ; the next Sunday following. which is this present Sunday, of the marriage in Cana of Galilee.

By this concurrence of these three things, the Church gathereth this doctrinal mystery, to be signified unto us: Today (saith she in the Anthem of twelve day, at Benedictus) The Church is joined to her heavenly spouse because Christ washed away her sins in Jordan. Today the three Kings make hast unto the royal marriage with their gifts, or presents, and the guest do rejoice of there wine made of water: That is to say, the Church is joined to her heavenly spouse by the institution of the Sacrament of Baptism, Christ sanctified the water of the river Jordan, and in it all the water of Baptism throughout the world, with the touch, and contraction of his sacred body in his own Baptism, and thereby espousing himself unto his Church in faith, Baptism being the Sacrament of faith wherein we first vow, and promise our fidelity to God.

Today the three Kings conducted by a blazing star being gentiles, and unbelievers before; do come to this marriage, that is to say, to the faith, & baptism of Christ, and in them the people of the gentiles (whereof we are) they being made the first fathers of our faith, as Abraham was of the Jews; And do bring gifts or presents of gold, myrrh, and frankincense; by gold acknowledging Christ to be their King, gold being the King of all metals, as also being used in the crowns of Kings; by frankincense to be God, frankincense being used in the sacrifice of God; by myrrh professing him to be man, myrrh being used in the anointing a mans body at his sepulcher or burial, as Joseph of Aramathia did the body of Christ at his burial.

By which presents they acknowledge him to be perfect God, and perfect man, and their King, and sovereign Lord, and did him homage, and reverence accordingly. And the guests do rejoice that water was turned into wine, that is to say: we Christians, have cause to rejoice, that the cold and raw water of the old law is by Christ changed into the comfortable wine of the new law, called therefore the law of grace, or special favor of God, the gospel, which signified joyful tidings; we being therefore guests or rather spouses of Christ our heavenly bridegroom (as every faithful soul is) Let us follow the example of these three Kings, the fathers of our faith, offering not gold, frankincense, and myrrh ( as they sis) but that which was signified thereby, Christ Jesus in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, of which Sacrifice to be instituted by Christ in the new law,for fulfilling, & finishing all the sacrifices of the old law, these oblations of the three Kings were a lively, figure, and production.

And being at the holy Mass in the presence of Christ there really present, and represented, let us humbly prostrate our self, and all we have at his holy feet, to do him the best homage, and service we can.


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