Three mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the Magi to the infant Christ; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast; today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation.

This Epiphany antiphon reminds us of the deep connection between the Gospel events we have recalled the past three Sundays. The star leads the Magi to the newborn Christ, revealed as a light to the nations; the voice from heaven reveals Jesus’ true identity as God’s beloved Son, on whom his Spirit rests; and Jesus’ changing of water into wine at the wedding of Cana becomes the first “sign” by which he inaugurates the Messianic age. All three events are theophanies: manifestations of the Divine, revelations of Jesus’ mission as Light of the World, as Messiah and Saviour, as Son of God.

Water becomes wine; the ordinary becomes extraordinary. The marriage of a young couple points to the mystical marriage between Christ and the Church, to be achieved in fullness when "Jesus’ hour" comes at Calvary. At Cana, we see the first sign of this: Jesus manifests his glory, and his disciples “believe in him.” In Jesus, the old covenant between heaven and earth is transformed into something new.

What about us? Sometimes we move through life with a sense of monotony or heaviness, not seeing how God wishes to break through the ordinary moments of life, and transform our existence into something extraordinary. Jesus comes to fill our water jars with the new wine of his indwelling presence. As at Cana, Mary invites us to listen to the Lord, to “do whatever he asks of us.” She helps us to discover that our everyday life carries within it extraordinary potential. Filled with the new wine of Christ, we rediscover our taste for life, our capacity to feast with Christ, the Bridegroom. For Jesus gives himself to us with a love beyond measure, espouses us in love and fidelity, chooses us as his own.

As we re-enter “Ordinary Time”, let us ask the Lord to make us faithful stewards: ready to do whatever Jesus asks of us, eager to share the good wine he provides with all who thirst. Then our “ordinary” lives will become truly “extraordinary”, as we come to know the God who turns scarcity into abundance, mourning into celebrating, and water into wine.

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2016 [January 17, 2016] 

Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us. The Response of the Gospel of Mercy

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

….In our time, migration is growing worldwide. Refugees and people fleeing from their homes challenge individuals and communities, and their traditional ways of life; at times they upset the cultural and social horizons which they encounter. Increasingly, the victims of violence and poverty, leaving their homelands, are exploited by human traffickers during their journey towards the dream of a better future. If they survive the abuses and hardships of the journey, they then have to face latent suspicions and fear. In the end, they frequently encounter a lack of clear and practical policies regulating the acceptance of migrants and providing for short or long term programs of integration respectful of the rights and duties of all. Today, more than in the past, the Gospel of mercy troubles our consciences, prevents us from taking the suffering of others for granted, and points out way of responding which, grounded in the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, find practical expression in works of spiritual and corporal mercy.

….Dear brothers and sisters, migrants and refugees! At the heart of the Gospel of mercy the encounter and acceptance by others are intertwined with the encounter and acceptance of God himself. Welcoming others means welcoming God in person! Do not let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of life born of your experience of God’s mercy, as manifested in the people you meet on your journey! I entrust you to the Virgin Mary, Mother of migrants and refugees, and to Saint Joseph, who experienced the bitterness of emigration to Egypt. To their intercession I also commend those who invest so much energy, time and resources to the pastoral and social care of migrants. To all I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, September 12, 2015, Memorial of the Holy Name of Mary POPE FRANCIS