SEASONS OF THE CHURCH YEAR

 

THE  SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY  2026 Jan 18

The Lord God Is Manifested

The miracle at Cana in Galilee stands within the Epiphany not as an illustrative appendix but as one of its primary lights. The Church has always understood Epiphany not merely as the remembrance of wise men following a star, but as the progressive manifestation of Christ’s identity to the world. In the West, this manifestation unfolds in three great acts: the homage of the Magi, the Baptism in the Jordan, and the transformation of water into wine at Cana. These are not parallel commemorations but a single arc of revelation: Christ is shown to be King, Son, and Bridegroom; Lord of history, Lord of creation, and Lord of the covenant.

-nuntiatoria

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SERMON TEXT: ​

Gospel: John 2:1-11

Water Turned to Wine

2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 

2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 

3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 

7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 

8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 

9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 

10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

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REFLECTION:​​                                                                                             

Epiphany in the Bible is about the revelation of Jesus Christ. The third major Epiphany event is the wedding at Cana. This event is important because it marks the first public sign performed by Jesus. Through this sign, Jesus was revealed openly, not through words alone, but through action.

The wedding at Cana took place early in Jesus public ministry. Jesus, His disciples, and His mother were invited to the celebration. When the wine ran out, a serious problem arose. Weddings were important community events, and running out of wine would have brought embarrassment to the family. Jesus responded by instructing the servants to fill large jars with water. He then turned the water into wine.

This was not done as a public spectacle. Many guests did not even realize what had happened. Yet the Gospel explains the meaning clearly. This sign revealed Jesus’ glory, and His disciples believed in Him. The miracle was not about saving a wedding. It was about revealing who Jesus is.​​

Faith Examined Daily

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HYMN  

Come, Join in Cana's Feast

Author: Herman G. Stuempfle​
 

1 Come, join in Cana's feast
Where Christ is honored guest.
He welcomes all who come to taste
The wine His hands have blessed.

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2 The old wine now is gone
From jars that stand apart.
No longer can it satisfy
The yearning, thirsting heart.

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3 But Christ, the Word made flesh,
Bids water turn to wine.
He fills our empty cups again
With grace and truth divine.

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4 Come, friends, and share the feast;
Here drink the wine supplied
By Him who is both guest and host--
For us, the crucified.

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5 For now He lives and reigns
Through all eternity
With Father, Spirit, Three in One,
The glorious Trinity.

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Hear the Sermon on YouTube

(posted shortly after the Service but not live streamed)

youtube.com/@oslcchatham6321

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