A Marriage That Is Anything But Regular

The wedding at Cana is set in a ceremonial context rich in meaning, typical of the Jewish wedding of the time, which was a long and complex event, essential for the growth and prosperity of the nation of Israel. The celebration was divided into three main phases.

The first phase was that of the engagement (Shiddukhin). At this moment the families of the spouses agreed on the terms of the bond. The groom offered a dowry to the bride's family, a symbolic gesture that represented his commitment and the value attributed to the union.

This was followed by the consecration phase (Kiddushin), which consisted of a formal ceremony. With this rite, the couple was legally married, even if they had not yet begun to live together. On this occasion, the groom gave the bride an object, generally a ring, as a sign of his commitment. After the consecration phase, about a year passed, during which time the groom prepared a house to welcome his future wife.

The actual wedding ceremony (Chuppah) marked the definitive union. The groom, in a joyful procession, went to the bride's house to take her to the place of the celebration. This solemn moment represented the beginning of their life together.

Finally, the wedding feast was an occasion of great joy and sharing, which could last up to seven days. The banquet involved friends and family, and wine was a central element of the celebration, a symbol of abundance and happiness.

It was during one of these festivities that Jesus' public Ministry began. On the third day of the feast, as recounted in the Gospel of John, Jesus performed His first miracle, turning water into wine and revealing His Glory in an extraordinary way.