The Epiphany, the Baptism of the Lord, the Wedding at Cana, and what Father James Martin is Missing....

The Epiphany "initially celebrated four events in Christ’s life, events that manifested his royal kingship: the Nativity, the visit of the Magi, the baptism in the Jordan and the wedding at Cana....The Jan. 6 feast of the Epiphany in the Roman church also acknowledges the baptism and the wedding at Cana: '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' (Liturgy of the Hours, Evening Prayer II, Epiphany). Still, the baptism and wedding at Cana manifestations of Christ are individually commemorated on other liturgical calendar dates. In 2019, the baptism is celebrated on Jan. 13 and the wedding at Cana on Jan. 20" (Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly, 12/26/18)

After my wife and I returned from a fabulous pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2017, I read Father Mitch Pacwa SJ's "The Holy Land: An Armchair Pilgrimage" and confess to having also read Father James Martin SJ's "Jesus: A Pilgrimage."  I should note that I find the incredibly comprehensive online materials from the Franciscans of the Holy Land to be much more satisfying than either book.

While Father Martin's book has an Imprimi Potest, that should not be confused with a guarantee of quality. At many points, I found myself thinking that "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" would have benefited by Father Martin's refraining from excessive speculation, as well as from some snarky comments.

For my wife and myself, renewing our wedding vows was one of the many highlights of our visit to the Holy Land. Yet, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" overlooks Cana - the site of Jesus first miracle!  It appears to me that this omission suggests that Father Martin is failing to appreciate that - like Holy Orders - Marriage is one of the sacraments "at the service of communion" and "directed towards the salvation of others." While Father Martin  may envision himself as a progressive, it seems that he is exhibiting a neo-clericalism that fails to appreciate the grandeur of authentic marriage.

Did I mention that I find the incredibly comprehensive online materials from the Franciscans of the Holy Land to be much more satisfying?

• "Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage." (The Epiphany, 1/6/19)


• The Baptism of the Lord (1/13/19)

• "There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee...." (1/20/19)