The wedding feast of Cana is probably one of the best known passages of Scripture. It relates Jesus’ first miracle, a miracle performed in a time of joyful love at its very beginning, the love of a newly married couple full of hope, faith and promise. Yet, the bride and groom are not the main characters of this story. Mary, who relates to her son the need of the couple for more wine, is not the main character. Nor is it Jesus even though he has the prominent role of making this miracle occur.
 
The gospel tells us that there were six stone water jars there used for the ceremonial washing. They had already poured themselves out in service, providing refreshment and cool relief for the wedding guests. They were spent, they had given their all. Now they are ready to be filled with water, water that Jesus transforms into the choicest of wines. They were now able to bring an even greater joy to all of the wedding guests.
 
I would suggest that these six lowly, silent water jars are the main characters here as they serve to reveal the true meaning of service and discipleship. Once we have used the graces God gives us, we come back to be filled again that through his grace we may do even greater things in his name. Filled by Christ, we are empties for Christ and his people only to be filled and sent forth once again to do even greater things. As we accept the choicest wine of divine life in Christ through his word and sacrament, we go forth in mission to one another, our world and our church. We are those water jars, emptied and filled over and over again. May we continue to be poured out for our Church and our world.