C: 2nd Sun of OrdTime (20 Jan 2019) - SHOWING OFF WITH HUMILITY - Jn 2:1-11

The solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord was just celebrated two Sundays ago with a reading on the Visitation of the Magi to the infant Jesus (cf. Mt 2:1-12). This is called “Epiphany” or “manifestation” since the word is derived from the Greek words: “epi” (“upon”) + phainō (“to appear or shine”). In short, the new-born Jesus appeared or shone upon the whole world as its new king on this feast.

However, strictly speaking, the liturgical celebration of the Epiphany is composed of three moments in the life of Jesus taken as a whole: the Manifestation of the Child Jesus, the Baptism of Jesus, and the Miracle at Cana. Accordingly, the antiphon in the Canticle of Zechariah in the Divine Office for the feast of the Epiphany summarizes our very point: “Today the Bridegroom claims his bride, the Church, since Church, since Christ has washed her sins away in Jordan’s waters; the Magi hasten with their gifts to the royal wedding; and the wedding guests rejoice, for Christ has changed water into wine, alleluia.”

In reflecting, hence, the manifestation of Jesus’ glory in the Wedding at Cana, it is best to keep in mind that it is a part of a triad of biblical events. But aside from the fact that they are all revelatory events of Jesus’ glory, there is one thing significantly common among them: they all display Jesus’ pronounced humility in showing off his divine nature. In the Visit of the Magi, Jesus was found devoid of any kingly adornments inside a simple house (Mt 2:10), which was specifically described as a manger in Luke’s account (Lk 2:7). For us, it is quite unimaginable how a prince could be born in such a humble manner. Similarly, in Jesus’ Baptism he was described as having been baptized together with the common people (Lk 3:21). Jesus, who was acclaimed by a voice from heaven that he is God’s beloved Son (Lk 3:22), allowed himself to be counted among the crowd, and worse, among sinners in need of the cleansing power of baptism.

In our gospel today, this same Jesus attended an ordinary wedding reception in Cana, together with his disciples (chiefly composed of poor Galilean fishermen) and his mother (Jn 2:1). If one were to show off one’s glory for the first time, the most logical site will be a public square or a city center where a huge crowd can wonder in amazement in toto. Conversely, Jesus manifested his glory in a small room—even quite hesitant at first (Jn 2:4)—with only a select number of people discovering that it was Jesus who performed the miracle, viz., the servers, headwaiter, bridegroom and Jesus’ companions.

Incidentally, for the first three Sundays of January in the Philippines, we celebrate three successive feasts: Journey of the Three Kings (1st Sunday), Black Nazarene (2nd Sunday), Sto. Niño (3rd Sunday). The Journey of the Three Kings portrays the kingly personalities of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, humbled in their exhausting long travel of seeking Jesus. The Black Nazarene presents the suffering Jesus carrying the heavy weight of the cross, despite being donned in royal purple clothing. Finally, the Sto. Niño depicts a small innocent child as king of the world, denoting the simplicity, humility and purity of his governance.

Hence, if there is one thing the first three Sundays of January teaches us, it is the practice of humility at all times, even if one were obliged to show off a little of his/her glory. Sadly, this is never the case in Philippine Politics where one’s fame, power and honor are to be primarily given importance to. Take, for example, the proposed revised Philippine Constitution in view of Federalism that was ratified by the Congress where most of the revisions made are centered on the abolition of term limits of elected officials and the tolerance of nepotism and patronage politics. When will our leaders ever learn from the example of Jesus that a true kingly leader should, first and foremost, be humble and think less of the self, convinced that his/her mandate is for the people’s greater welfare, and not for one’s own.

- Rex Fortes, CM