2/26/2007

John 2:1-12
1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there for a few days.

Consider in this story the simple joy of a family wedding and the wonder of a miracle. Imagine this wedding: the guests enjoying the food and wine, oblivious to the heat and the dust they kick up as they dance in celebration of this new marriage. Picture the concern of the host that the wine will run out; Mary, Mother of Jesus is concerned, too. She is that wonderful woman at the party who swoops in just when you need help the most. She makes a statement to her son; he interprets the question she is asking. I sense an irritation in his response. Perhaps he would prefer to be elsewhere. Perhaps he is bored with the drunk wedding guests. But Mary will not accept his irritable refusal. She makes a statement to the servants with obvious disregard for Jesus’ lack of interest in the wine problem. As she expects, Jesus does as his Mother has asked and only the servants know the truth.

Contemplating on this writing helps me consider deeds I do for others, even when I may not feel willing. Even when I think that what they ask is unnecessary, inappropriate or even stupid. To be available when one needs me, to say yes when one asks – that is the gift I intend to give today.
- LOS