First Sunday of Epiphany

 In Cana of Galilee,

   Jesus manifested His glory. (John 2:11)

 “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “appearance”. During Epiphany Season, the church celebrates the appearance or manifestation of God among us “beginning with Jesus’ baptism …and how he went about doing good” (Ac 10:37-38). It was something to behold: “We have seen his glory” (Jn 1:14).

The Gospel of John will refer to such “manifestations” as “signs”: “This was the first of his miraculous signs Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (Jn 2:11). This first sign happened just three days after Jesus called his first disciples: the fishermen Andrew and his brother Peter, James and his brother John; and then Philip who the next day brings his buddy Nathanael. The next day they follow Jesus to a wedding festival about ten miles up the road at Cana of Galilee. It was there, at the wedding festival, that Jesus first “manifested his glory, and the disciples believed in him.”

Andrew and Peter, James and John, don’t say, “Show us a few miraculous signs, and then we will follow you.” Rather, they hear his voice: “Come, and you will see” (Jn 1:39). They follow his call, and in their following, they behold his glory.