Author: Salwa Elias

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who serves Christ in such things is pleasing to God and respected by others.” (Rom 14:17-18)

On this Cana Sunday the Maronite Liturgy celebrates Entrance into the Great Lent, followed by the first day of Lent being Ash Monday.

Cana Sunday commemorates the first miracle performed by the Lord, as recalled by St John:

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Now there were six water jars of stone set there, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the stone jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.

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. 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!” This was the beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, manifesting His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Do we have that faith of the disciples, which can move mountains, heal sickness, and raise the dead?

As workers in the Lord’s vineyard, are we setting an example of charity and mercy for others to desire and want to imitate?

Even though Jesus showed many signs and wonders in his mission on earth, still there were those who did not believe Him.

It should be no surprise to us then, in whatever ministry we are involved, when we are faced with the same rejection and persecution for our faith.

Where does our encouragement and consolation come from, to endure these trials we face today? Our consolation and our model is Jesus, the Christ.

We have no other choice but to walk in love, if we are truly to imitate His very own sweet-smelling sacrifice, as a holocaust for the world.

This may sound like an impossible task, which it would be, without God. We do not fear, if we place ourselves at the foot of His Cross, with Mary our Mother to remind us “do whatever He tells you”.

This is how John the Beloved was able to endure the sight of the crucified Christ, even after all the other disciples had deserted Jesus on Calvary.

This is how we endure our own crosses every day, standing by the side of Mary, the Mother of God. In her humility, we are made strong.

In her obedience, we follow the Will of the Father.

Our faith stands firm if we stand with the Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross.

Entering into the Great Lent, we prepare our souls to imitate the greatest love of all, in imitation of Him who died for us even while we were still sinners.

Fasting and abstinence throughout Lent is a blessing, both physically and spiritually.

To truly know the love of God for us, we must endure the greatest act of love – to die to one’s self and for the sake of others.

The Word of God reminds us that there is no greater love than the love of God for all His people, without exception or prejudice.

Our hearts must not focus on the negativity of this world’s culture, but our hearts must believe in the mission that Christ has left for us.

Let’s claim the peace of Christ through our faith and love for Him.

Let not our hearts be troubled by the tactics of the enemy, who tries to frighten us into
hiding.

We cannot fear when we love, for God is Love.

We are His children, the heirs to His Kingdom…let us live lives worthy of such an inheritance.

Let us speak with words of love, think with thoughts of love, and act with hearts of love.

Let us walk in love, giving glory and thanks to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Salwa Elias is a member of the Maronite Catholic Church and is the EWTN producer for Australia and New Zealand