Saint Mark Study of John -- The Wedding Feast at

August 15, 2021 (Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) Hail Mary 1

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb .

Holy Mary Mother of God Pray for us sinners Now and at the hour our death AMEN! Overview & Objective 2 Objective: • General appreciation for the uniqueness of the . • The treatment of the Blessed Mother in John’s Gospel. • Appreciation for the Old Testament references • This story’s linkage with the Church and the sacramants. Overview of the next 6 Sessions • Day 1 - Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Day 1 - Session 2 - Wedding Feast – On the Third Day • Day 1 - Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Day 2 - Session 4 – Bride and the Bridegroom • Day 2 - Session 5 – Water to • Day 2 - Session 6 – The “Hour” Class Objectives (interactive) Q’s 3 What I hope to learn: But what about this???: • .. • … • .. • …. Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview 4

August 15, 2021 Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview 5

Where we are: • Day 1 - Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Day 1 - Session 2 - Wedding Feast – On the Third Day • Day 1 - Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Day 2 - Session 4 – Bride and the Bridegroom • Day 2 - Session 5 – Water to Wine • Day 2 - Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour This Session: Overview of the Fourth Gospel • Authorship & Dating • Structure & Uniqueness of the Fourth Gospel • Themes • High Who Authored the Fourth Gospel 6

• Much debate continues. • Not anonymous like the Matthew, Mark and Luke. • :24 “This is the who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true.” • The Beloved is one of the twelve (13:23; 21:4-7) • Close to (Peter, James, John); a model disciple • was the author Part of early Church Tradition (Irenaeus from Polycarp) • Most scholars believe it was written by John the Apostle & Evangelist and that he is the Beloved Disciple • We will hold that “The Beloved” is the model disciple (as well as the evangelist John). (a Hybrid position of sorts) When Was the Fourth Gospel Written 7

• End of the first century; Most scholars date the forth Gospel between 90 and 100AD. • Some evidence for prior to at the time of the Temple destruction; nothing is mentioned in a past tense relative to the temple etc. • Some theorize it was as later as 150AD; and compiled by students of John • “We” in Chapter 20. Leads one to believe John’s work was penned by his students/followers. • Thus, many theories have been developed, but most scholars date this Gospel between 90 – 100AD. The Basic Structure of the Four 8

Mark • Opens with a pronouncement of Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) and the ministry of … • Ministry in , heading to , ending at the cross. Matthew & Luke • Opens with the genealogies and infancy narratives. • Ministry in Galilee, heading to Jerusalem, ending at the cross

John • Opens with a prologue (Jn 1:1-18); echoes the creation story and the opening of Genesis “in the beginning”. A new creation in Christ. • Long narratives from Jesus; no parables, nor meal. • Christ travels back and forth from Galilee to Jerusalem; ending at the cross. Jerusalem in John’s Gospel 9

Jesus’ Trips to Jerusalem (Coincides with Jewish Feasts)

• :13-25 – “The Passover of the Jews was at hand.” ; He is the Temple. In preparation for His ministry.

• :1 – “Festival of the Jews” (likely Pentecost) Ignatius Cath. Study Bible • :3 – “Jew’s feast of Tabernacles was at hand”. He professed to being sent from the Father. • :22 – “It was the feast of Dedication”. The light in the darkness. () • :55 – “Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand”. Jesus now heads into Jerusalem for His Passion and death. The Structure of John’s Gospel 10

I) Prologue (1:1-18) II) (1:19-12:50) Hymn that encapsulates John’s view of Water to Wine at Cana Wedding; Healing Christ. Word with God; Word’s Role in Official’s son; Healing at the Pool in Bethesda; Creation; Believers become Multiplication of loaves; Jesus Children of God; Word Walking on water; Giving sight to becomes Flesh; Only-begotten the man born blind; Raising of Son reveals the Father. Lazarus; so that we might believe. III) The Book of Glory (13– 20) IV) Epilogue (Chapter 21) Last Supper: Washing the Resurrection appearance at the Disciples’ Feet, Farewell Sea of Tiberius; Commissioning Discourses; Jesus’ Great Prayer; of Peter, to “Feed my sheep”. Identification Passion Narrative:, Death & Burial; of the author (“Beloved Disciple”). Eye- Resurrection Appearances, , witness account; but not all are recorded Disciples, and Thomas. here… Seven Signs (or ) 11

Were there really 7 signs? 1. John 2:1-11; Changing water into wine at Cana 2. :46-54; Healing of the official’s son 3. John 5:1-9; Healing of the paralytic at the pool (Bethzatha) 4. :1-14; Multiplication of loaves” 5. John 6:16-21; Jesus walks on the water” 6. :1-7; Sight to the man born blind 7. John 11:38-44; Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. • Anything missing??? • Resurrection; Jesus conquers death. These signs help all come to believe in Him Major Themes 12

• Water/Holy Spirit: • Jesus’ Baptism (1:29-34), Cana (2:1-11), Water and Spirit(3:1-6); Woman at the well, living water (4:24), The healing of the paralytic in the pool…. • Light/Dark (Time of Day): • “The Light shines in the darkness…the true light” (1:5,9 RSV) ; “It was night”, “came to Jesus by night” (3:2 RSV) “It was about the * sixth hour” (4:6 RSV); the betrayal, “It was night”. • : • Bread of Life; The Resurrection; The Gate; The Good Shepheard; The Way the Truth and the Life. The , the . • Testimony (like a trial): • John testified to the truth; Nicodemus testifies. Beloved Disciple’s eye witness testimony, His testimony is true…Paraclete is a defense attourny. Major Themes 13

• Trinity and relation to “oneness” with the Father; the Father and I are one; He who has seen me has seen the Father” “As the Father sent me so I now send you” • Jews: The term “Ioudaios” occurs 71 times in the Fourth Gospel; Jews, Jewish, people of , leaders, etc. Not anti-Semitic. * • World; Ruler of the world, you are not of the world but you are in the world. • Creation – Genesis; new creation; In the beginning; 7-days of creation (1:1; 2:1-11; 20:1) Overview of John’s Gospel - Summary 14

• Last of the Four Gospels to be written • Written by John the Apostle • Leaves no doubt about the of Christ • The Word, Only Begotten Son, the Lamb of God. • Significance of Mary, “Woman”, Bride of the Church, . • Jews, Jewish feasts, Jerusalem. • No Last Supper Meal; Points to a New Passover. Session 2 – Wedding Feast at Cana On the Third Day

August 15, 2021 Session 2 – The Wedding Feast – “On the Third Day” 1 Where we are: • Day 1 - Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Day 1 - Session 2 - Wedding Feast at Cana – “On the Third Day” • Day 1 - Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Day 2 - Session 4 – Bride and the Bridegroom • Day 2 - Session 5 – Water to Wine • Day 2 - Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour This Session: Wedding Feast – Layered Old Testament Linkage • The Third Day - A Wedding Feast • Seven Days of Creation • Three Days on Sinai • Three Days of Purification. Wedding Feast at Cana 2

More than a Wedding Party:

• We will now focus specifically on John 2:1-11. • Not Just a story about a wedding • No explicit mention nor naming of the bride and the groom. • John wants us to look deeper. • Here the wedding is an “earthly event” which John uses to reveal a “divine mystery”. • The of Cana is more than an obedient (to His mother) or generous act (to wedding party) by Jesus; it is rather the initiation of the Father’s final act, in His plan for salvation. • It’s more than a miracle at a wedding party. The Wedding Feast at Cana – John 2:1-11 3

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 [And] Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. 9 And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in Him. The Third Day – Layered Interpretation 4

1. Seven Days of Creation; now pointing to a New Creation. 2. Third Day – Christ passion, death and Resurrection (pointing to the resurrection). 3. The coming of the Lord at Mount Sinai; on the Third Day (Ex 19). The Third Day – Seven Days of Creation 5

“In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. :1,5 “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters. Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 • John alludes to creation throughout the Fourth Gospel. • He is pointing to A NEW Creation, through Christ, the Word. The . • The Light of the World is now fulfilling God’s plan. • Thus it not surprising that the seven days of creation might be tied to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. • On the seventh day, the Lord’s day. The Third Day – Seven Days of Creation 6 “On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there” John 2:1 • The third day? We are four days short? Right? • The count actually begins in Chapter 1 • Day 1: John 1:19-28; Jesus’ baptism; John the Baptist testifies about Jesus, • Day 2: John 1:29; “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” • Day 3: John 1:35-36; “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” • Day 4: John 1:43, “The next day he decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me. • All of this leads to the Wedding Feast story three days later. • “On the third day”! The seventh day. Sunday…7 days of creation. • This is “an interpretive key” to John’s later writing of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19) Seventh Day 7

• The seven days of creation are being transformed into a New Creation in Christ, on the seventh day of His ministry. Cana is an interpretive key to Revelation, the Church, all things!

“Whoever is in Christ is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, new things have come.” 2 Cor 5:17 The Third Day – Christ’s Resurrection 8

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there” John 2:1 • The third day, in another sense points to Christ’s resurrection. • Through the miracle at Cana, Christ manifests His glory. • Thus the Wedding Feast starts the ministry of Christ; which, per God’s plan, ends at Calvary and Christ conquering death on the third day. • Sunday…Easter…No question, John wants to make this linkage to the resurrection The Third Day – The Lord’s Promise on Sinai 9

“be ready for the third day; for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people…On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast of the shofar, so that all the people in the camp trembled.” Ex 19:11,16

• This passage in Exodus is central to the Jewish faith. • The giving of the Torah and covenant on Sinai came to be celebrated liturgically as Pentecost. • The feast of God delivering the law to the Israelites on Sinai. • The new is about to bring on a new law and a new Exodus ! Summary & Quiz 10

1. Changing water into wine was the first SIGN______or MIRACLE______. in John’s Gospel. 2. In the Wedding Feast at Cana John uses an “earthly event” to reveal a ______“DIVINE MYSTERY”______so that we look deeper into the text. 3. The Third Day in John 2:1 refers to : CREATION______, RESURRECTION______and ______SINAI

On the threshold of his public life Jesus performs his first sign - at his mother's request - during a wedding feast. The Church attaches great importance to Jesus' presence at . She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ's presence.) CCC1613 Day 1 - Session 3 – Wedding Feast at Cana “Woman”

August 15, 2021 Session 3 – Wedding Feast at Cana - Woman 1 Where we are: • Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Session 2 - Wedding Feast – Old Testament linkage • Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Day 2 - Session 4 – Bride and the Bridegroom • Day 2 - Session 5 – Water to Wine • Day 2 - Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour This Session: Wedding Feast at Cana – Woman • The Mother of Jesus • Woman • What have you to do with me? • Obedience - Intercession Wedding Feast at Cana – “Woman” 2

On the third day there was a in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.“ His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you” John 2:1-5

• Why does John not call Mary by name? Disrespect? • He calls her the “mother of Jesus.” • Then Jesus refers to her as “O woman”. • Some scholars have suggested this as disrespect at some level. • To support this, Jesus’ response to her seems equally lacking in respect; “what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” • In this session, we will dive deeper into this exchange; and so better understand the mystery John is revealing. Wedding Feast at Cana – “Woman” 3

• Note: John does not name Mary. Yet she is purposefully mentioned first. “there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples” • It is almost as though Jesus was of secondary importance? • John wants us to pay attention to who she really is, and her significance in this story and more importantly in all of salvation history. • As discussed in the last session, the creation story in Genesis is key. • John is now pointing to New Wine, a New Creation at a Wedding Feast. • When the wine ran short Mary goes to Jesus for help. Sort of an intercessory prayer. “They have no wine.” Not an order, nor request. But a statement. • This was not their concern; this was the bride and groom’s problem? Right? • Jesus’ reply is “O Woman, What have you to do with me?” • The exchange is kind of strange, if not inappropriate, yet it is extremely significant…She simply stated the obvious and Jesus seemingly over-reacts. Wedding Feast at Cana – “Woman” 4

• With Genesis and the 7 days of creation in mind; John links Jesus and Mary to Adam and Eve….How? You may ask? • It is Adam who names Eve as “Woman” in Genesis 2:23. • The New Adam (1 Cor 15:45, “Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”) addresses the New Eve as “Woman” at the Wedding Feast. • John will have Jesus address His Blessed Mother a second time as “Woman”; at the foot of the cross in :26. 1. Once at initiation of His ministry; as the HOUR was in fact coming (John 2:3-5) 2. At the end of His ministry, at the foot of the cross; giving His mother to the care of the Beloved Disciple (John 19:26-27; “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son! Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”) Wedding Feast at Cana – “Woman” 5

• “This “Woman” redefines Mary’s relationship not only with Jesus but with all believers” (Scott Hahn, Hail Holy Queen) • She is the mother of all of the living (Gen 3:20) i.e. all the baptized. • The New Eve reverses the act of the first Eve. • The first Eve led Adam to sin in the garden – The New Eve now leads the New Adam to His glorious ministry; His Hour. • This is an interpretive key to John’s book of Revelation. In Rev 12 we see the Ark of Covenant (where God dwells) who will bear a “male child” that will “rules all nations. (Gen 3:15, “Protoevangelium”) (linkage again to “Woman”) • Eve and Mary, both conceived by God, both born without sin…as with all biblical , the New surpasses/perfects the Old. Mary is the perfection of Eve! Wedding Feast at Cana – “Woman, what have you to do with me?” 6

When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.“ John 2:2-4 • As we previously saw, this dialogue is a bit strange…but very important to understand. • Mary tells Jesus the obvious, the hosts have run out of wine. • Jesus replies with “O Woman, what have you to do with me?” (Or “What has this to do with you and me”). “My hour has not yet come”. • A bit of an over-reaction?? Possibly even dismissive? • But these words are from a common Hebrew idiom; found in both Old and stories. • The phrase “what have you to do with me” actually conveys respect and mutual knowledge of one another and in some cases in scripture, acknowledges respectful disagreement. • It would be like saying, “okay, I know what your getting at,” or “I see where you are going with this” • In :24 and Mark 5:7; The unclean spirit speaks to Jesus and say; “what have you to do with us? Jesus of Son of David,”, I know who you are…the Holy one of God.” • Jesus obeys His mother regardless and gets to work. (Doing the work of the groom…hmmm?) Q’s Wedding Feast at Cana – “My hour has not yet come.” 7

• These words most certainly point to the Hour of His Passion, death and resurrection. (3rd Day). • It is at at the cross where, again, Mary is addressed by Jesus as “Woman”. • It is at the foot of the cross that blood and water gush forth from the side of Christ, showering John and Mary with His Sacramental blood and water, prefigured at Cana; Pointing to the Church. • Christ’s body is the Temple that will be destroyed and rebuilt. • This “Hour”, therefore points beyond that Hour of His passion. • It points to the Hour of the Eucharistic Liturgy. • Where the ordinary wine, becomes extraordinary in the Blood of Christ. Summary & Quiz 8

1. WhyWe are did saved Jesus by refer God’s to Mary as Woman? _____ Mary __is the______New Eve______. . 2. MaryLove isis anintroduced ______First by John,of the showing _ her ______,Importance______. in the story. 3. TheSalvation Hour isrefers not anto eventthe ______Passion_ as well as ______Eucharistic ______. Liturgy __. 4. WhyBaptism did isJesus the doorultimately to obey His mother? ___Obedience,______. fulfillment of God’s Plan

• Throughout the Old Covenant the mission of many holy women prepared for that of Mary. At the very beginning there was Eve; despite her disobedience, she receives the promise of a posterity that will be victorious over the evil one, as well as the promise that she will be the mother of all the living. CCC489 • The Gospel reveals to us how Mary prays and intercedes in faith. At Cana, The mother of Jesus asks her son for the needs of a wedding feast; this is the sign of another feast - that of the wedding of the Lamb where he gives his body and blood at the request of the Church, his Bride. It is at the hour of the New Covenant, at the foot of the cross, that Mary is heard as the Woman, the new Eve, the true "Mother of all the living.". CCC2618 Next Session 9

• Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Session 2 - Wedding Feast – “On the Third Day” • Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Day 2 - Session 4 – The Bride and the Bridegroom • Day 2 - Session 5 – Water to Wine • Day 2 - Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour Next Session: Wedding Feast – The Bride and the Bridegroom: • The Bride & Groom at Cana • The OT Bridegroom • Mary and Jesus as Bride and Bridegroom • The Church – liturgy – Wedding Supper of the Lamb Day 2 -- Session 4 – Wedding Feast at Cana Bride and the Bridegroom

August 16, 2021 Hail Mary 1

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.

Holy Mary Mother of God Pray for us sinners Now and at the hour our death AMEN! Session 4 – The Wedding Feast – The Bride and the Bridegroom 2

Where we are: • Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Session 2 - Wedding Feast at Cana – “On the Third Day” • Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Day 2 - Session 4 – Bride and the Bridegroom • Day 2 - Session 5 – Water to Wine • Day 2 - Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour This Session: Wedding Feast – The Bride and the Bridegroom • The Old Testament Bride and Bridegroom • The Bride & Groom at Cana • Mary and Jesus as Bride and Bridegroom • The Church – liturgy – Wedding Supper of the Lamb Wedding Feast at Cana – Bride and Bridegroom 3

• Throughout the Old Testament the “Bridegroom” was symbolic of God’s faithfulness and fidelity toward His people. • The people, the Israelites were therefore “The Bride”. • A loyal, faithful and loving Bride, awaits “The Bridegroom” • Despite the infidelity of the people of , God still pursues them with a merciful love. • This symbol of the bridegroom, is finally perfected in Christ (perfect union of God and humanity) • Everything changes when God becomes man in Jesus Christ. Israel’s expectation for God the bridegroom is now fulfilled. • John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “The Lamb of God” and the “Bridegroom”. • “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom… He must increase; I must decrease” (:29-30). • “In light of the Old Testament, John’s proclamation is astonishing since it acknowledges that Jesus is God come to Earth to unite humanity to Himself.” (Fr. David Endres) • Jesus is the Bridegroom John the Baptist the “best man”…  Wedding Feast at Cana – Bride and Bridegroom 4

Old Testament Passages: • Is 61:10; “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness. As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” • Joel 2:16; “Assemble the elders, gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room and the bride out of her bridal chamber.” • Jeremiah 16:9; “For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I am going to eliminate from this place, before your eyes and in your time, the voice of rejoicing and the voice of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride.” • To site only a few…. Wedding Feast at Cana – Bride and Bridegroom 5

Other New Testament Examples: • Mark 2:19-20; “Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.” • Matthew 25:1; “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” • Matthew 9:15; “Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” • Revelation 18:23; “and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer” • Revelation 21:2; “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” • But let’s look closely at Ephesians 5… Marriage - The Bride of Christ? 6

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. Gen 2:24 “This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband. Ephesians 5:32-33 • Paul places these words just after quoting Genesis 2:24. But wait...how do these passages connect?....Adam and Eve? They had no father and mother? • The two are now one flesh, united IN CHRIST, in the Church. • The bride and the Bridegroom, in Holy Communion at the wedding supper of the Lamb. • As Dr. Michael Barber says, “this is the fulfillment of Genesis 2:24 according to Saint Paul; this is the ‘great mystery’, and the ‘great mystery will be fulfilled in THE CHURCH.” The Bridegroom will come to US. • Mary represents the model disciple, the model believer. She is the model BRIDE of Christ. 7 Wedding Feast at Cana – Bride and Bridegroom 8

• John purposefully does not single out the most important figures at a Wedding Feast (The Bride and the Bridegroom). • He also introduces Mary first (as in significance) and refers to her not by name but as the Mother of Jesus. Her symbolic role is of first importance. • When Mary informs Jesus that “they have no wine”, she is requesting that he take the He assume the role of the Bridegroom. • Jesus fulfills the role of the Bridegroom by attending to the shortage of wine. A son always listens to his mother. • Mary is both Mother of Jesus and the Bride of Jesus. • But how can this be…? • “You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;but you shall be called My delight is in her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”. Is 62:4-5 Wedding Feast at Cana – The Bridegroom 9

Jesus is the Bridegroom the Church is the Bride • Jesus fully reveals himself as the bridegroom at the end of his life. • Through the Eucharist and on the Cross (with the Bride – Woman). • More than a meal, the Last Supper is a wedding banquet where Jesus offers Himself for others. • On the cross, the Bridegroom pours water and blood onto the Church (The Bride) • This “nuptial mystery” is prefigured at Cana with water and wine and the Bride and the Bridegroom. • Using this image, we see that Jesus offered Himself so that all might have life abundantly. (abundant wine) • We await the life to come, and partake in the “wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7) when we, as the Bride of the Church, share in the Eucharist. Wedding Feast at Cana – The Bride & Bridegroom 10

The Church is the Bride of Christ – CCC 796 • The unity of Christ and the Church, head and members of one Body, also implies the distinction of the two within a personal relationship. This aspect is often expressed by the image of bridegroom and bride. the theme of Christ as Bridegroom of the Church was prepared for by the prophets and announced by John the Baptist. The Lord referred to himself as the "bridegroom." The Apostle speaks of the whole Church and of each of the faithful, members of his Body, as a bride "betrothed" to Christ the Lord so as to become but one spirit with him. The Church is the spotless bride of the spotless Lamb. "Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her." He has joined her with himself in an everlasting covenant and never stops caring for her as for his own body. This is the whole Christ, head and body, one formed from many . . . whether the head or members speak, it is Christ who speaks. …This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the Church." and the Lord himself says in the Gospel: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh." They are, in fact, two different persons, yet they are one in the conjugal union, . . . as head, he calls himself the bridegroom, as body, he calls himself "bride.“ (St Augustine) Day 2 - Session 5 – Wedding Feast – Water to Wine

August 16, 2021 Session 5 – The Wedding Feast – Water to Wine 2

Where we are: • Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Session 2 - Wedding Feast at Cana – “On the Third Day” • Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Day 2 - Session 4 – The Bride and the Bridegroom • Day 2 - Session 5 – Water to Wine • Day 2 - Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour This Session: Wedding Feast – Water to Wine • Mary, Jesus, Disciples – Role in the Miracle • Six water jugs – Ritual cleansing • Ritual cleansing - External cleansing….after three days • Fulfillment in God’s Plan – Belief in the Messiah The First Sign – Water to Wine – John 2:6-11 3

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. 9 And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in Him. Miracle of Water to Wine – “Role Play” 4

Role of Mary, Jesus and the Disciples: (Saint ) • Mary, Jesus, Disciples – all have specific Roles in the miracle • Mary “superintends” it • Jesus Performs it • the disciples witness it. Miracle of Water to Wine – “Role Play” 5

Mary’s Role: (Saint Thomas Aquinas) • Mary’s role is two-fold: 1. Model disciple who is subordinate to Jesus. accepts her role as mother and disciple of Christ. 2. Mary is Mother and intercessor to Christ • As the model disciple, she ministers to the needs of the bride and groom. • “Mother Mary assumes the role of ‘’ in two ways; first she intercedes with her son, in the second place she instructs the servants.” • Mary, Mother of Mercy, takes action and points out “they have no wine.” Not a command nor a request, just a statement of fact. • She represents all the faithful people of Israel; • She takes action, immediately and intercedes. • She also leads them in model discipleship; “Do whatever He tells you.” Wedding Feast at Cana – “Role Play” 6 Mary’s Role: Mary is a disciple, symbolizing all of the faithful of Israel. “Do whatever He tells you.” (this moves Jesus into the role of the Bridegroom and models discipleship) Like Joseph: • “When all the land of Egypt became hungry and the people cried to Pharaoh for food, Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians: “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” Gen 41:55 Like Moses: • “all the people answered together, “Everything the LORD has said, we will do.” Then Moses brought back to the LORD the response of the people.” Ex 19:8 • “they all answered with one voice, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Ex 24:3,7 • The OLD wine was running out, the faith was running dry…NEW wine was coming…A New Covenant. Wedding Feast at Cana – “Role Play” 7

Jesus’s Role: (Saint Thomas Aquinas) • Jesus orders the servants to fill up the water jars. • St Thomas says the water was necessary: • The ordinary becomes extraordinary • Proof of the miracle to the witnesses (servants and the disciples) • The servant filled the water to the brim (super abundance). • Water was elevated; sacramentally…immediately • By changing water to wine Christ was elevating or perfecting what was already good into something perfect (symbolic of the faith of God’s people). • Thus Christ “revealed His glory” to all, so that they might believe. Wedding Feast at Cana – “Role Play” 8

Disciples’s Role: (Saint Thomas Aquinas) • The disciples witnessed…and believed “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in Him.” John 2:11 • The disciples represent all believers, coming to “know” God through Christ. Deepening their faith through grace. • The servants also witnessed, as they knew it was water, they filled the jars; after it, they saw and believed…it was the best wine! Wedding Feast – Six Stone Jars 9

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. John 2:6 • “Ceremonial washing”; the Jewish custom of cleansing. External body as well as the dishes. • This was an elevation of the customary ritual; this was an internal, spiritual cleansing. Being made “right” with God. • 120-180 gallons of wine; an abundance; more than could be consumed. • Numerology: • St Thomas says 6 jars refer to the six eras of the Old Testament in which the hearts of men were being prepared and receptive of God’s scriptures. • Six is the imperfect number, perfected in miracle and New Covenant. • Numbers 19:11-22 supplies the context for the six jars: • An Israelite defiled by touching a dead body must be purified with water (“batismos”; EZ 36 sprinkling of clean water /Baptism reference) “on the third day” and again “on the seventh day”. • Consistent with the third and seventh day of the Wedding Feast at Cana. Wedding Feast – Drawing Out the Best for Last 10

“Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” John 2:8-10

“Draw Some Out Now” • Jesus performs this “sign” in haste…”Now”…The hour has come. • He has the head waiter (the one in charge) taste it…It was the VERY BEST • Christ was not being “deceptive” by serving better wine first and the lesser wine later, which was typical. This is the New way…the “way of the cross”. • He saved the BEST for last. Suffering is necessary to realize the BEST. • ”Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. “ :20 Wedding Feast – The Best for Last (The Cross) 11

“when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” John 2:9-10 “The Best for Last” The good wine is a biblical symbol with many meanings: 1. An abundance of good wine is a signal of the messianic age (Is 25:6, the lavish meal with the finest wine on God’s mountain”, Amos 6:13; “The mountains shall drip with the juice of grapes, and all the hills shall run with it.”) 2. It symbolizes the joy of marital love; (Song 1:2; “for your love is better than wine,”) 3. Water to finest wine prefigures the transubstantiation of wine to Christ’s blood in the Eucharist. (1Cor 10:16; “the cup of blessing which we bless.”) 4. The wine of this wedding looks beyond to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7-9) Wedding Feast – The Best for Last 12

• The New Moses has changed water into the best wine. As Moses facilitated the water into “blood” in the first plague (Exodus 7:19), Christ now transfigures water into Wine…prefiguring His Blood…at the cross and in the Eucharist.

“The miracles of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, prefigure the superabundance of this unique bread of his Eucharist. The sign of water turned into wine at Cana already announces the Hour of Jesus' glorification. It makes manifest the fulfillment of the wedding feast in the Father's kingdom, where the faithful will drink the new wine that has become the Blood of Christ. CCC 1335 Day 2 - Session 6 – Wedding Feast – The Hour/Passion

August 16, 2021 Session 6 – The Wedding Feast – The Passion-The Hour 2

Where we are: • Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Session 2 - Wedding Feast at Cana – “On the Third Day” • Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Session 4 – The Bride and the Bridegroom • Session 5 – Water to Wine • Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour This Session: Wedding Feast – The Hour! • The Hour in John • Two Dimensions of “The Hour” in John’s Gospel • The Cross and the Liturgy The Hour to Come 3

“O Woman…My hour has not yet come”. • As we have seen, this “hour” refers to the hour of his passion (the cross and the resurrection). • But as Pope Benedict XVI says, “on an immediate level, this means that He does not simply act and decide by His own lights, but always in harmony with the Father’s will…in terms of the Father’s plan…more particularly, the “hour” designates his “glorification”. • “This “Hour” brings together the cross, the resurrection and His presence throughout the world in Word and sacrament.” Two Dimensions of “The Hour” in John 4

There are two dimensions of this “Hour” (Ignatious Study Bible) 1. Historical Hour • The hour of Christ’s Passion. • This was God’s plan; not to be curtailed. • “At a historical level, then, the “hour” is the time when Christ passes through the suffering on the cross, out of love for the Father and as a sacrifice for our salvation” 2. Liturgical Hour • Beyond the historical hour, and an equal part of God’s plan is the liturgical hour, commemorated in the life of the Church. • Starting with Cana; Christ fills the liturgical cup with the finest wine. Saving the best for last in the Eucharist, His blood. • Consistent with Christ’s dialogue with the Woman at the Well, this hour is about right worship. “These two dimensions of the “hour” are part of one Paschal Mystery of Christ. We cannot, therefore, drive a wedge between them”. The “Hour” in John’s Gospel 5

Passage Quote Audience in John “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has 2:4 Jesus to Mary not yet come.” Jesus to the • The “Hour” is prominent in the 4:21, 23 "the hour is coming…and is now here" Gospel of John. Semaritan Woman 4:52-53 the "hour of healing" Royal Official

• Seventeen times John mentions 5:25,28 "hour is coming, and is now here" Jesus to Jews the “hour” of Jesus.

7:6, 8 "my time has not yet come…fully come" Jesus to Jews Anticipation • Sometimes in anticipation of the 7:30 "His hour had not yet come" John's Narration the “Hour”, some to announce the “Hour” 8:20 "His hour had not yet come" John's Narration “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be 12:23, 27 Jesus to Apostles glorified.”...‘Father, save me from this hour’? • Note how the “Woman” are "his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the 13:1 John's Narration bookends to this “Hour”…the Father." "Their hour" and "her hour" is coming…"my hour is coming, 16:2-32 Jesus to Apostles start and the finish indeed it has come." “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son 17:1 Jesus to the Father

Fulfillment may glorify you.” O Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother.” And from Jesus on the Cross to 19:27 that hour the disciple took her into his own home. Mary & John The Woman and the Hour 6

• John only mentions Mary on two occasions; at Cana and at the foot of the cross. • In both Jesus addresses His mother as “Woman”. • This is “woman” title clearly links to the woman of Genesis; as John has placed this story symbolically on the 7th day aligned to Genesis. • Thus all of these themes link and Cana is the beginning and the bond. • The Wedding – Adam and Eve;– At the Wedding at Cana new Eve calls upon a new Adam to act as the Bridegroom. Waters of Old are converted to the finest wine – Perfected in the Eucharistic liturgy where they give life to all at The Wedding Feast of the Lamb. • A Church is born, as blood and water flow from the side of Christ (The Temple) onto the Woman, the Bride and Mother of Christ. The HOUR has indeed come. The Finest Wine! 7 Summary by the Church 8

• The Gospel reveals to us how Mary prays and intercedes in faith. At Cana, The mother of Jesus asks her son for the needs of a wedding feast; this is the sign of another feast - that of the wedding of the Lamb where he gives his body and blood at the request of the Church, his Bride. It is at the hour of the New Covenant, at the foot of the cross, that Mary is heard as the Woman, the new Eve, the true "Mother of all the living.". CCC2618 • “The miracles of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, prefigure the superabundance of this unique bread of his Eucharist. The sign of water turned into wine at Cana already announces the Hour of Jesus' glorification. It makes manifest the fulfillment of the wedding feast in the Father's kingdom, where the faithful will drink the new wine that has become the Blood of Christ. CCC 1335 The Wedding Feast at Cana – Linking the Passion to Now 9

Overview/Summary: • Session 1 – The Gospel of John - Overview • Session 2 - Wedding Feast at Cana – “On the Third Day” • Session 3 – Mother of Jesus – “Woman” • Session 4 – The Bride and the Bridegroom • Session 5 – Water to Wine • Session 6 – The Passion – The Hour Credits Session 6 All Images are from Public domain sites: The Wedding Feast at Cana, , 1563; https://www.wikiart.org/en/paolo-veronese/the-marriage-at-cana-1563 Christ on the Cross with the Maries and John, El Greco, 1588; https://www.wikiart.org/en/el-greco/christ-on-the-cross-with-two-maries-and-st-john-1588 Icon of Christ, Blood and Water; https://aleteia.org/2019/06/22/a-doctor-on-why-blood-and-water-gushed-from-jesus-heart/ The Last Supper, Vicente Juan Masip, 1562; https://www.wikiart.org/en/vicente-juan-masip/the-last-supper-1562 The , El Greco, 1610; https://www.wikiart.org/en/el-greco/annunciation-1 Ghent Altarpiece, Jan Van Eyck, 1432; https://www.wikiart.org/en/jan-van-eyck/the-ghent-altarpiece-1432

Reference: Pope Benedict XVI; Jesus of ; (New York, NY, Doubleday, 2007) p. 251-255. Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed., Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2618, 1335 The Holy Bible: New American Bible; Personal Study Edition, Oxford, New York, (24 February 1995) Ignatius Catholic Study Bible; The Gospel of John; (San Francisco, CA, Ignatius Press, 2003), P. 20-21, 26. Francis Martin and William M. Wright IV, The Gospel of John: Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, (Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Academic) 2015, P.15-28 Felix Just, The Hour of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel, The Johannine Literature Web; https://catholic-resources.org/John/Themes-Hour.htm Scott Hahn, The Hour of Jesus in John’s Gospel; St Paul Center; https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/audio-archive/the-hour-of-jesus-in-johns-gospel/