Why water in wine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter adrian1
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

adrian1

Guest
Why we use water and wine, if in the Gospel say that Christ taked Wine and Bread?
History?
 
adrian1 said:
Why we use water and wine, if in the Gospel say that Christ taked Wine and Bread?
History?
Click to expand...
Because it was the custom in the ancient world to always add a bit of water to wine. That’s not to say that no one ever drank straight wine, but that’s not how it was done. Drinking unwatered wine was considered crude, and even rude if it was a formal setting.

The other reason is that mixing a bit of water with the wine symbolizes the mixture of the divinity and humanity of Christ. This is expressed in the offertory prayers.
 
I’m not sure if this is the reason behind the liturgical custom, but I know historically wine would always have been “cut” with water before serving, because otherwise it was far too strong and unpalatable. So when Christ takes the wine in the gospel, the implication is that it is wine cut with water.
 
Last edited:
One thing I’ve always wondered if it’s also connected to the blood and water coming from Jesus’ side after being stabbed by the lance on the cross:
John 19: 33-35:
but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
Click to expand...
On top of the historical/cultural custom after watering down wine.
 
Definitely it’s also symbolic of the water and blood from the side of Christ.
 
boclucky14 said:
One thing I’ve always wondered if it’s also connected to the blood and water coming from Jesus’ side after being stabbed by the lance on the cross:

On top of the historical/cultural custom after watering down wine.
Click to expand...
Spyridon said:
Definitely it’s also symbolic of the water and blood from the side of Christ.
Click to expand...
Yes. That’s another reason.
 
It is also reflective of the Wedding at Cana - changing water into wine. As the water is ‘wedded’ into the wine, we become ‘wedded’ to Christ when we receive his body and blood. The richness of symbols in this one simple act can blow one’s mind!
 
I always thought of it as being one of the spiritual meanings of 1 John 5:7 also.

“There are three that testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord”

The Water and Blood testify with the Soul and Divinity of Christ and the Spirit of God.
 
Last edited:
The reason for adding a little water to the wine is related to the mystery of who Jesus is. Jesus is both God and man at the same time. The adding of a little water to the wine is expressive of the unity of the human nature of Jesus with his divine nature.
 
poche said:
The reason for adding a little water to the wine is related to the mystery of who Jesus is. Jesus is both God and man at the same time. The adding of a little water to the wine is expressive of the unity of the human nature of Jesus with his divine nature.
Click to expand...
The actual prayer said is 'by the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled Himself to share in our humanity."

As with many aspects of the Mass it is open to multiple layers of meaning and symbolism. Probably deliberately so. The ones which inmediately come to mind for me are Christ turning water into wine at Cana, and the blood and water which came from His side on the cross.
 
in ancient tradition, people are to give any offering during the presentation of the gifts, one of those are the wine, since there are different kinds of wine that has been offered it will be balanced through the water, since it has been done by christians, We , in the liturgical perspective and theology give symbolism to it, that the water and wine will be the blood of christ, similar to the blood and water which came out when a roman soldier pierced jesus at crucifixion.
 
From the epilogue of 2 Maccabees
2 Maccabees 15:39
For just as it is harmful to drink wine alone, or, again, to drink water
alone, while wine mixed with water is sweet and delicious and enhances
one’s enjoyment, so also the style of the story delights the ears of
those who read the work. And here will be the end.
Click to expand...
This demonstrates the cultural use. The liturgical use stems from different reasons.
 
Last edited:
The Water [necessary for LIFE] represents US, and when mixed with the wine depicts out dependence upon Jesus. Which is why you will at times see priest carefully add just a drop or two of water to significance our insignificance; and Jesus’ necessity…

Blessings
Patrick
 
I like what LilyM said- “multiple layers.” Regarding the Divine Mercy image and Saint Faustina’s encounters with Christ:

“So what does the image mean? The Image of The Divine Mercy represents the risen Christ whose hands and feet bear the marks of the Crucifixion. When asked about the meaning of the rays from His pierced Heart, Jesus explained, ‘The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. … These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross’ (Diary, 299).”
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top