The changing of the water into wine is not just a sign that Mary and Jesus like a good party! It is a sign of the Kingdom of God where joy and life are in abundance, where shame ends and all tears are wiped away. It is no accident that in John's gospel the mother of Jesus is present at this first sign and remains faithful until the end, right up to the culmination of all the signs: his being lifted up on the cross. Mary not only asks for a sign, she understands that it will cost something for Jesus to give it and for her to witness it. 

So for us, the wedding feast at Cana is a taste of the fullness of life we celebrate here every Sunday. The Eucharist is always and everywhere a first course in the eternal banquet of heaven. But it is also an invitation to see beyond the signs, to the faithful relationships that require sacrificial love and years of fidelity. 

All parents who sacrifice so much for their children, all spouses who remain faithful and good to their wife or husband, all friends who attend to their companions with devotion and care, share in the Kingdom of God and are the signs of Christ's presence in our world. Every time we are kind, Cana occurs again. 

Sometimes these actions can be very lonely and the cost can be high. Today's Gospel, and the traditions of the Church that flow from it, tell us we are not alone, especially when the going gets tough. 

What I like best about our belief in intercessory prayer, in the healthiest devotions in honour of the Mother of Jesus and in our belief in the martyrs and the saints is that they take seriously the companionship of God's family that transcends time and space. 

Through our common Christian faith we are connected to millions of believers who have battled with similar, and sometimes greater, struggles than we endure and yet remained faithful to the end. Led by Mary, who never wants us to feel ashamed or embarrassed, they are our cheer squad in the stands of heaven willing us on in the race of life, giving us a few pointers on the best preparation, the pitfalls on the way and how to maximise our performance as we strive to do our best and be our best. 

Welcome to Cana where one course is richer than the last. And the wine only gets better with age. 

Extract from reflection by Richard Leonard SJ