Where's the wine? The urgency of having a more inclusive Catholic church

Text by Father Paul Morrissey, OSA*, published on the New Ways Ministry website (United States) on 19 January 2025. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata Project.

In the movie Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus of Nazareth by Franco Zeffirelli, 1977), there is a scene in which Jesus dances joyfully with his disciples at a wedding feast. This scene has always been one of my favorite images. In the Gospel we find Jesus at a wedding, together with his mother.

During the wedding, Maria will notice that the wine has run out, a problem that could embarrass the couple. Then he turns to Jesus saying: “They have no more wine.”

He responds a little abruptly: “Woman, what do you want from me? My time has not yet come." It's as if he's saying, “I'm spending time with my friends. Don't disturb me." Furthermore, he addresses her as “woman,” as if she were any other person in the crowd.

But what does "my hour" mean? In the Gospel of John, this expression indicates the crucial moment of Jesus' passion, when he will offer his life for our salvation. At the wedding of Cana, at the beginning of his public life, Jesus seems aware of the fate that awaits him and, perhaps, tries to delay his beginning to take a little more serenity with his friends. However, Maria with a decision says to the servants: "Do everything you will tell you."

Can we be sure that Mary knew how to "miss something"? Her personal experience - like that of being pregnant without being married - had certainly made her try the sense of shame, embarrassment or danger linked to the judgment of others. Perhaps this sensitivity allowed her to understand the importance of what was missing from that banquet and to report it to her son.

Jesus, even if initially he believes that "is not the time", listens to his mother's compassion and starts his public life. This generous gesture can serve as an example to the Church while learning to welcome and love LGBTQ+people.

We too, sometimes, can feel like something "unwanted", initially welcomed with surprise and perhaps shame. But over time, we can say with faith: "It happens for me according to your word."

The Bible readings are full of images of marriage and rebirth. From the book of Isaiah we read: “For Zion's sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest.” And again: “You will no longer be called 'Forsaken'... but you will be called 'My Delight'.” Finally: “As a young man marries a virgin, so will your Creator marry you.” These wedding images speak of Israel, but they also extend to us, the Church, spiritual heirs of that people.

As LGBTQ+ people, can we hear this message? Can we also feel like the "bride" of God, no longer abandoned, but welcomed as his delight? And as a Church, can we accept that if God can be described as the husband of his people, why not see same-sex relationships as signs of God's love?

The Responsorial Psalm invites us: “Proclaim to all peoples the wonders of the Lord.” Yes, God has welcomed us as a bride, individually and as a community. With indescribable joy, as in a wedding feast where the best wine flows abundantly, we enter the tent of his love.

San Paolo, in the second reading, writes to the Corinthians: "There are diversity of charisms, but only one is the spirit." This message on diversity celebrates the wealth of creation. Is it not exactly the awareness of their diversity that LGBTQ+ people bring as a gift to the Church? After struggles and suffering, we discovered the creator's love for diversity. Isn't this a message to be proclaimed, even if the Church often fears it?

If we feel "without wine" - without joy or trust in our "different" love - can we believe that Jesus can transform the water of our daily life into wine, that wine that brings joy, party and celebration? The Church needs this wedding spirit, of this joy that flows as a precious wine to face the synodal path with hope, as Pope Francis invites us.

*Father Paul Morrissey is Augustinian priest and pioneer of gay pastoral care in the US Catholic Church. Author of numerous articles and books, his latest book Why I remain to Gay Catholic: a Spiritual-Sexual Journey will be published by Paulist Press in June 2025.

Original text: Has Our Church 'Run Out of Wine' for Loving Those Who Are Different?