God wants our rejoicing. God instils hope when life seems to bring us many heartbreaks, tragedies, and disappointments. The people of Israel had suffered the destruction of their temple and city, followed by fifty years of exile. Isaiah's prophetic language reassures them – they will have a new name and wear the crown of beauty. They should live in hope and joy, for God is always with them and for them. And so, it is with us. We should not compare ourselves to others or compete for recognition. Paul insisted that although there are many spiritual gifts, they all come from the same Spirit and must all be used for the common good. We own absolutely nothing – all is gift.

The strange miracle at Cana is not about wine or about marriage – it is about Jesus. He is the embodiment of God's love within our reach. Jesus' hour is a moment of revealing God's unfailing care for our needs and hopes. The image of the fine, rich, wine that is held back until the proper moment is drawn from Old Testament prophecy and signals the beginning of the messianic age and the coming gift of the Spirit. It is a new world, and we are given the opportunity to experience a deep and rewarding spiritual life if we are willing to take Jesus to heart and be transformed. Jesus does not disappoint us. He infuses profound joy.