The Second Mystery of Light: The Miracle at Cana

Pictured above: Detail from Marriage at Cana by Giotto di Bondone. 1304-06. Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua.

At Mary's urging, Jesus turns water into the finest wine (John 2:1-11). "To Jesus through Mary" is the theme of this mystery.

1. On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had likewise been invited to the celebration.
   
   
2. The wine ran out, and Jesus' mother told him, "They have no more wine."
   
   
3. Jesus replied, "Woman, how does this concern of yours involve me? My hour has not yet come."
   
   
4. His mother instructed those waiting on the table, "Do whatever he tells you."
   
   
5. As prescribed for Jewish ceremonial washings, there were at hand six stone water jars, each one holding fifteen to twenty-five gallons. "Fill those jars with water," Jesus ordered, at which they filled them to the brim.
   
   
6. "Now," Jesus said, "draw some out and take it to the waiter in charge."
   
   
7. The waiter in charge tasted the water made wine, without knowing where it had come from; only the waiters knew, since they had drawn the water. Then the waiter in charge called the groom over.
   
   
8. He remarked to him, "People usually serve the choice wine first; then when guests have been drinking awhile, a lesser vintage. What you have done is keep the choice wine until now."
   
   
9. Jesus performed this first of his signs at Cana in Galilee.
   
   
10. Thus did he reveal his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

The Mysteries of Light:    1     2     3     4     5     Next mystery >>