January 19.  Sunday 2C.   Fr Solly was a Franciscan friar.  On this Sunday, speaking of the Wedding Feast in Cana, he told the congregation “We Franciscans are guardians of the holy sites in Israel.  People usually think of Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, but Cana is where Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into wine, blessing with great compassion and tenderness the young couple at their wedding by saving the family from the embarrassment of running out of wine.   If you go to Cana now, selling wine is big business, but its real significance should be that with Jesus present in a marriage the quality of their love relationship changes from plain water to the best possible sparkling wine. Just image that, and it doesn’t cost R500 per bottle”   He then asked the couples present to reflect on how Jesus continually blessed their marriage. The rest of the congregation was invited to reflect on this mystery too, and how it could apply to their own life situation.  Fr Solly concluded, “Let us all thank God for his mercy and love and for giving us the sacrament of marriage.  

Reflect, share.  Scripture:   There was a marriage at Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was also invited to the marriage with his disciples.  When the wine failed……………….   2 john: 1-11.  Pope Francis: Pope Benedict in Deus Caritas Est 11, stressed that “marriage based on an exclusive and definitive love becomes an icon of the relationship between God and his people and vice versa.  God’s way of love become the measure of human love.” The sacrament of marriage is not a social convention, an empty ritual or merely the outward sign of a commitment.  It is a gift given for the sanctification and salvation of the spouses. AL 72. JUBILEE.   Openness to life and responsible parenthood is the design that the Creator has implanted in the hearts and bodies of men and women, a mission that the Lord has entrusted to spouses and to their love. It is urgent that responsible legislation on the part of states be accompanied by the firm support of communities of believers and the entire civil community in all its components. For the desire of young people to give birth to new sons and daughters as a sign of the fruitfulness of their love ensures a future for every society. This is a matter of hope: it is born of hope and it generates hope. Jub25. 9. Pray for those married, those preparing and for the youth that they may learn to appreciate the value of marriage for the common good.   Choose appropriate action.