Let me begin with a disclaimer: In the early years of my journey toward my education and my ministry, I gave up alcohol for personal reasons: I did not like myself when I was drinking. In the course of my preparation for ministry and 20 years in the priesthood, I have seen how alcohol, drugs and other stimulants enslave people. Unfortunately, children suffer most from adult abuse. I invite anyone to consider whether alcohol, or any other mind altering substance is bringing suffering in its wake. I will do whatever I can to help you by prayer and an appropriate referral or working with you through a 12-Step Program.

With that disclaimer I am going to talk about a miracle that involves alcohol. Jesus’ first miracle, and he did it at the request of Mary, his mother. At a wedding banquet, to save a young couple from shame, Jesus turned water into wine. He didn’t produce a few liters for a final toast. The Gospel says: Six stone jars “each holding 20 to 30 gallons.” That’s a lot of wine. That could keep St. Joseph’s parish supplied for several years. Moreover, as the Gospel notes, wine of best quality.

I would like to emphasize this: the abundance. When Jesus does something, he does it right. He gives overflowing abundance. In a simple yet supernatural sense, of course, no one can measure his abundance. But before talking about the supernatural, I want to speak about the everyday, natural level. Those who follow God’s path can expect visible blessings.

Even though we acknowledge hypocrisy and backsliding among religious folks, people’s lives do get better when they take God seriously. When a person places their complete trust in a Higher Power, something other than themselves, a relationship begins that actively helps and moves the person.

Jesus, wants to give us blessings, not necessarily a million dollars or winning the lottery, but those things that make for a happy, joyful life. He wants us to have an abundant life. Jesus turned water into wine to rescue a young couple from embarrassment and to bring gladness to those celebrating their marriage. This does not mean that no trials will come, they will, but Jesus gives the means to get through them (The Cross).

That is the natural significance of Jesus’ first miracle: He desires abundance for those who follow his way. The miracle also has a deeper, supernatural significance. John carefully notes that the six jars held water used for “Jewish ceremonial washings.” Later in this same Gospel, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, signifying his power to wash away sin. During that Last Supper, he takes a cup of wine and says, “The cup of my blood ... shed for forgiveness of sins.”

Both the water and the water-become-wine, point to the supernatural gift of forgiveness. Jesus performed this miracle at a wedding feast. No marriage can last without forgiveness and reconciliation. Any couple who has achieved five or more years of marriage can tell you they often needed forgiveness from God and from each other. Every human relationship requires forgiveness.

Jesus loves young married couples and gives help in good times and in bad. He wants them to have abundance – both naturally and supernaturally. Young married couples are vital for the future to our society, our community and our church. I know that you, like me, are concerned that so many have fallen into cohabitation, that they are not making the commitment to marriage nor are they having their marriages blessed by God.

Today’s Gospel shows Jesus’ love for married couples. It must have devastated those newlyweds to run out of wine at their reception, but Jesus helped in a time of crisis. He gives an abundance of every blessing that brings joy. Above all, he desires for us the greatest blessing, the forgiveness of sins and the power to forgive. If we make the effort to follow God’s path, he gives every blessing – in abundance.