An Easter Greeting: ‘Love Is What Is Missing in the World’

This week I received this wonderful letter from a dear friend and fellow Catholic. He’s one of my favorite new friends for a lot of reasons — his generosity, his kindness, his concern for my family, and because he sends me reminders of what’s important in life, such as this Easter greeting. — Laura Ingraham

Having had three children marry in less than 13 months made me very curious as to why the first miracle that Jesus performed was at the Feast of Cana.

I have spent a lot of time trying to find the significance and meaning of this miracle. With all religions, there are many deep, significant, and symbolic messages and correlations.

Symbolically a wedding feast is ultimately a description of heaven. Throughout scripture, you hear Christ referred to as the bridegroom and the church as His bride. By initiating His public ministry at the wedding of Cana, Jesus both reveals himself as the bridegroom of the people of God, and, also shows the depth of the relationship, which unites us to Him.

This also represents the foundation of Christianity, Judaism, and Moses in the fleeing of Egypt. Binding together as a community of family and friends, ultimately this is the message of the covenant of love. The foundation of faith would be mercy, love, joy and happiness. But only if you participate. The wine was made ,and it was the best wine and was significant because wine represents joy; water was turned into wine, and the beginning represented the end.

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You see, the Feast of Cana is more than strictly a story of turning water into wine. It’s the circle of life from the beginning to the end. It’s amazing to me that Jesus’ first miracle was that He turns water into wine, and at the Last Supper He turns wine into his blood.

The ultimate gift is giving of one’s self. A marriage is celebrated by confessing the Trinity or by faith in the resurrection. This is why the marriage took place “on the third day,” a reference to the sacred mysteries. Resurrection, true love, and the promise of the opportunity of everlasting eternal life. The gift of marriage, family and children, and the miracle of procreation. The heart of the home is children.

What is the ultimate message of the Feast of Cana? Ultimately, if you read the scripture and get nothing else out of it, you get the message of love and joy. Love has the power to change the world and transform culture. More than anything else, love is what is missing in the world. When one gives of himself, this is the biggest gift one can give to others. The wedding feast represents the ultimate reward — heaven.

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Good Friday represents suffering and the ultimate gift of sacrificing one’s life, and Easter Sunday represents the resurrection and all the significance of this very special holiday. Easter Sunday is a joyous blessing because of the significance of this important day and should be celebrated.

Umberto P. Fedeli is the president and CEO of The Fedeli Group, one of the largest privately held risk management and insurance firms in Ohio. He has five children and two grandchildren.