John 2:1-12
Have you ever found yourself at a table with friends sharing a meal and there is always that one last appetizer or piece of food left on an otherwise empty plate? It seems to sit there in isolation as no one dares to make the bold move of eating the last piece of food. Or maybe you’ve been at the wedding where wine is provided “till they run out” and you were surprised at the short time it took for the masses to consume the seemingly barrels of wine?
This is much like today’s scripture from John 2:1-12. It tells of a wedding in Cana where the wine had run dry. Wine during this time was especially important due to the lack of clean drinking water and the role wine played in being a tool of hospitality and celebration. Jesus and his mother were among the guests at the wedding and it’s Jesus’ mother who seems to push Jesus into action. Jesus ultimately comes through and performs a miracle turning six stone jars of water into wine. Except for Mary and the servants, Jesus’ action in this miracle seemed to go unnoticed. The masses just think more wine has just “shown up.”
This story is noteworthy for a few reasons.
First, it seems to tell us that God sees and notices the needs of humanity. While the needs for more wine can seem insignificant, God sees the value of community, hospitality, and celebration.
Second, it’s Mary’s call to action that makes Jesus respond to the need in the first place. Not just that, but this story is always lifted up as Jesus’ first public miracle/act of ministry and it’s done so by the words of support and encouragement from his own mother.
Lastly, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is only twice mentioned in the gospel of John: once in this text about the wedding and once more at the foot of the cross.
We are reminded that even Jesus had a mother and person of support in his life.
The same person that called him to action and helped him see the needs of those around him was the same person that came and witnessed him at the hour of his death.
The same God that sees our needs in celebration also enters into the pain and suffering of life on the Cross.
Questions for Reflection:
- Who are the people that support you and call you to live out your faith in service in this world?
- How do you see God’s work of Grace and abundance at work in the world?
Prayer
God of Life,
We give thanks for the ways you grace our lives and see our needs. We give thanks for the people in our lives that push us to see the needs of others. May we continue to work to both receive the blessings of Grace you give us and to give grace to others.
Amen.
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