Advent Reflection Series: Part Four
Cana…. More than music gone awry!
Reflecting on the very, ordinary chapel in Cana, apart from lovely images of large pottery jars, Cana was surprisingly simple with no pomp and circumstance. Could the simplicity of this church be reflecting a sign of mature love which has overcome the initial obligatory hurdles, a sign of stale mates or a matter of (Ahondze Pa Nnkasa) Fante proverb for empty vessels make the most noise, so sshhhh?
For me it revealed something profound: the image of faithful married men and women. Seemingly ordinary couples, maybe walking hand in hand and grey haired, yet imbued with decades of experienced self-giving love, forgiveness, despite let downs and low tides but still rocking in love!
We enter the chapel, with Maggie our bridesmaid holding up the end of my dress. The bell rings for mass. Some dressed up couples walk down the aisle with the wedding march playing. The wedding march continues even after Father Lawrence Cobblavie, Franciscan, from Ghana, begins the penitential rite. Is this a sign of contemporary marriages...’spiritually unprepared’ … for the sacrament?
Us, modern couples seem to know best with our ‘wedding marches’. We march to the beat of our own partial not tried/tested tunes. We fail to notice that the One who created us, who has gifted us with marriage has much more on offer. Rather than pausing frequently for mercy and guidance which illuminates the path, we stride arrogantly with our technology ‘devices’ convinced, we are in charge of our destiny. We miss the fruits of the ‘bonum coniugum’.The wine seems to run out very quickly and sadly, we fail to ask our Lady to intercede as she did at the wedding feast in Cana.
Alas…It wasn’t all doom and gloom in Cana. The amazing hidden garden sitting in the same compound right behind the church which seems incredibly well tended with much love and care was uplifting, inviting and peaceful. David & I were commanded to pose by the British & French paparazzi: Bridget and Lindy! This garden which we stumbled upon on a loo- run, was almost a sign of hope: in spite of the technology hitch in church, I, the One who instituted this great sacrament of marriage, the author of man and woman in this exclusive love journey together, tend to them, for they represent my love for my bride, the church. When their music doesn’t stop, when their wine runs out and they do things in their own strength, I wait for them. Like this garden, I can tend each of them, watering them with grace, if they come to me, to renew their strength.
Marriage, a sacrament, points to our destination, our final union with God, yet it also participates in and reflects the cross fire of love between the Trinity. This is what us married couples are privileged to share. This is what we are called to celebrate. Much as we fall short like the music in the Cana chapel, If we step back into the shower of reconciliation, we have access to the warm baths of grace once more, and we are empowered for the duties.
David walked arm in arm with our beautiful bridesmaid Maggie out of the chapel, after we had privately renewed our vows, (modern man) and dear Fr David (clean shaven cave-man) had to give me away again, at the door step of the church!
Cana, was more than music gone awry! In this holy place, we entrusted all married couples especially difficult relationships we know. We also prayed for singles….Mary please ask Jesus to change our water into wine...Amen
(Aba and her husband David are parishioners of St Maria. Her reflections are fruits of their pilgrimage to the holy land in October 2014. It is hoped that they inspire prayer. Aba is a theology student of Maryvale Institute-Birmingham, UK.)
