Praise
be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.
My youngest grandson has a
devotion to Mary. Every Sunday after mass he runs to the prayer garden at St.
Lawrence and stands at the foot of the
statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And he says this prayer ‘God is
great, God is good. Amen.’
Then he adds “Please help me be a
good boy. Amen.
We pray that little prayer a lot
at our house.
There was a wedding at Cana.
Jesus’ mother was there and so were Jesus and his disciples. When the wine ran
short, Mary went to Jesus with the problem. His answer to her, “how does your concern
affect me, my hour has not yet come.”
That is an interesting question. We
could pray about it for hours. But look at Mary’s response.
His mother just turned around and said
to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” And, they did. They filled six
stone jars with water. Then, the waiters drew some out. The water had become
the good wine.
In her response to Jesus, think of
the Christmas song Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and
daughters?
All
good mothers know their children; but, maybe Mary knew a little more. Remember
all the things she was told and kept in her heart, by the Angels, by Elizabeth,
by the shepherds and knelt and paid homage to the new king. She kept in her
heart, the words of Simeon and the Prophetess Anna from the presentation at the
temple. All the things she was told and
kept in her heart, Mary knew.
Jesus
is the good wine for God is great. God is good. Amen.
And
Mary has always brought our problems and needs to Jesus.
The headwaiter was speaking about
more than just the wine in his cup when he said, “Everyone serves good wine
first… but you have kept the good wine until now.”
In that time with no newspaper or
internet or television, people would have shared this story about a new teacher
they had hear about from Nazareth. They would share the story in the
marketplaces and meeting places and homes. And as that story was shared from
person to person, people may have compared Jesus to another great person –
Moses who had turned the water of the Nile into blood.
Now, something greater had happened.
Someone greater had turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana.
Some would remember the prophecy
of Isaiah that told of a wedding, a covenant between God and his people in
which the LORD God rejoices. They would compare
the wedding Isaiah promised to bring blessings and great joy to the people to
this wedding at Cana.
Some would begin to believe that Jesus
is the new covenant. He would bring blessings. It was Jesus who simply spoke
and the water in these stone jars became wine. It was the best of wine at the
wedding in Cana.
It was the best wine, think about
the promise. Certainly, the good wine brings joy, abundance, blessing, and life
that God promised. Some who heard the story would know something special had
happened. Some would realize the good wine presented at that wedding was Jesus,
the goodness of God brought to us.
That best would continue to bless.
There would be miracles, healings, and casting out demons. He would feed the
hungry, calm the seas, and walk on water. He would transform wine into his own
blood. He would give the gift of salvation for all God’s adopted sons and
daughters. Through him is the promise of eternal life. He would give of himself
to make us good wine.
We are made good wine through the power
of the Holy Spirit. Some will receive the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and
faith. Others receive the gifts of healing, mighty deeds, and prophesy. Still,
some will receive the gifts of discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, and
interpretation.
These gifts are given to serve God
and to live out his plan for us. A divine plan put in place before we were born
that is part of His covenant. Our destiny is to bring God’s divine plan into
the world. He gives us the gifts to fulfill that destiny. He gives us the good
wine of Christ.
Do not be disappointed if you don’t
have a gift of tongues or healing or mighty deeds. Your gift may be to
recognize the good Jesus Christ and share it so others will know the greatness
and goodness of God.
Your gift may a devotion to Mary,
being an example to others, praying for others, and bringing the needs of many to
Jesus’s mother so she can bring them to Jesus.
Maybe your gift is to glorify
Jesus and believe. Maybe our gift is to listen to him, and He will help us to
be good.
Be good, be Holy, and preach the
Gospel by the way you live your life and love one another. That is your
greatest gift.” Praise be
Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.
