Scripture Scribbles: January 19, 2025

the Gospel

John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,

and the mother of Jesus was there.

Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.

When the wine ran short,

the mother of Jesus said to him,

“They have no wine.”

And Jesus said to her,

“Woman, how does your concern affect me?

My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servers,

“Do whatever he tells you.”

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,

each holding twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus told them,

“Fill the jars with water.”

So they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them,

“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”

So they took it.

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,

without knowing where it came from

— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,

the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,

“Everyone serves good wine first,

and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;

but you have kept the good wine until now.”

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee

and so revealed his glory,

and his disciples began to believe in him.

the scribble

Today’s Gospel strikes me for many reasons and I could go in several directions; however, Mary’s presence draws me closer to Jesus. Mary knows the needs of the guests and she brings them to her Son. She tells us, “do whatever He tells you.” Trust Him.

I’ve been following the news on the fires in California - absolutely devastating. A particular story showed a family singing and praising the Lord amidst the ashes of their burnt down home of 30+ years.

They sang in gratitude. Why? Because their statue of Mary still stood. It wasn’t about the statue itself, but the visual reminder that Jesus is with them and Mary pointed them to Him. I was so moved by this story.

Just like the wedding at Cana, Mary knew they needed a reminder that Jesus is present in such a sorrowful time. When life could’ve felt so empty and dry from such devastation, their hearts were full.

When the wine of our life runs out, Mary invites us to deeper conversion and trust. She shows us that Jesus fills those empty jars of sorrow with the joyful wine of His Love. She prompts us to listen to Him and do whatever He tells us.

Where in your life are you suffering? What in your life has run dry? Have you allowed Mary to bring you to her Son? What is Jesus telling you to do in this difficult time?

Today’s devotion was written by Diana Giard