Sunday, August 16, 2009

A Jesuit Encounter With The Wedding Feast At Cana


The Marriage in Cana of Galilee.

I.

"There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the Mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage."

Contemplate the persons at this marriage feast. Our dear Lord, disdaining not to share in the innocent joy of His servants; our Lady, so sweet and gentle that all trusted in her, and were not ashamed to make known their wants to her; the guests, full of innocent joy; the spouses, troubled at the failure of

II.

"The Mother of Jesus saith to Him: They have no wine."

How gentle are these words, full of simplicity, and breathing that perfect trust in the charity of the tender Heart she knew so well; and when He answers her, " Woman, what is it to Me and to thee ? My hour is not yet come," she is not dismayed, she understands Him too well.

III.

" His Mother said to the waiters: Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye."

Our Lady knew she would never be refused. Calm, patient, humble, she waited for Him to act as He chose.

Do you pray calmly, with full trust in God ? Do you wait patiently for the answer, and are you contented it should come in God's own way ?



The Marriage in Cana of Galilee.

Continued.

I.

"Now there were set there six water- pots of stone. Jesus saith to them : Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim."

And at the bidding of Mary our Lord worked His first miracle.

Then if her prayer comes before Him now, can it not work a miracle, and change this cold heart of mine into a fervent, generous one ?

See how our Lord constantly exacts blind obedience from His servants.

They had to fill the water-pots without divining the reason for the order.

II.

"And Jesus saith to them : Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the least. And they carried it."

With what loving care must those servants have carried this marvellous wine.

Do you obey the voice of God that bids you do good to others ? Do you carry the light of faith to souls ?

III.

" And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him : Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drank, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until Now."

How many of us do not know the tenderness with which this Divine Heart is watching over us, and loading us with blessings!

And He will ever to His servants give the "good wine" last. He will never disappoint us if we never disappoint Him; but one day, if we are only faithful, we shall drink new wine with Him, in the kingdom of our Father.

Go (here) to read the introduction to the book. Link (here) to the Wedding Feast at Cana, the book is entitled Short Meditations For Every Day In The Year: According to the Method of St. Ignatius.

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