John 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Read John 2:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Verse 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. Verse 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Verse 4And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." Verse 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Verse 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Verse 7Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. Verse 8He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. Verse 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 Verse 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." Verse 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Verse 12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.
Devotion
As the confirmands prepare for their Affirmation of Baptism, I ask them when God seems closest to them and when God seems the most distant. Many of them talk about God’s closeness during a hard time and how God seems most distant when things are going well. They also very astutely recognize that they don’t feel their need for God as much when everything is fine.
The first miracle of Jesus in John takes place at a wedding – a celebration of life! Weddings are times, usually, when things are going well. Often we think of needing a miracle in sadder circumstances – for healing or during a time of mourning. But this first miracle, this first sign of who Jesus is, is an affirmation that Jesus draws near with an abundance of life in all our circumstances. He is not only for hard times, but for all times.
Prayer
Life-giving Lord, we thank you for your presence with us at all times and in all places. Help us to live with that awareness and to share your life-giving presence with all those we encounter. Amen.