How to Get Water Turned into Wine

Feb 18, 2022 filed under Joy.

closeup portrait of young blond woman drinking red wine

Scripture tells us that wine makes the heart merry. And merry is good — it means we’re living in the freedom of the children of God.

At Cana’s wedding, the Mother of God said, “They have no wine.” A wedding is no place to pull the plug on merriment, so Jesus turned more than 100 gallons of water into wine so the celebration could continue in style.

Among this story’s many lessons is that of Jesus’ and Mary’s desire to change the ordinary into the divine; to turn ho-hum into joy — by the power of God.

What about my everyday “water”?
But do we allow Jesus to perform this miracle day-to-day in our lives, especially when things get tough? We need only listen to Mary’s words to the stewards: “Do whatever he tells you.”

As I was praying this decade of the Rosary on Thursday, I realized that “doing whatever he tells you” means finding joy (or at least not complaining!) in what he asks me to do in this moment he has given me. I know what he is asking of me by the circumstances and people he has surrounded me with in this moment – and it is only for me to follow Mary’s advice and “do that” — to say “yes.”

My godmother told me today that when Moses met God in the burning bush, God didn’t say, “I was” or “I will be” — he said, “I AM.” If we are open to meeting God in the present moment, we will find joy.

Jesus asked the stewards to fill the jars with water. He asks us, too, to bring him this ordinary moment so that he can transform it into a moment of joy — no matter how hum-drum or annoying that moment started out. He asks us to bring him our humanity — so he can divinize it. He asks us to give him our moments — so he can connect them with eternity.

Just as he received the five loaves and two fish to feed the 5,000, so he asks us to bring what we have, paltry as it may be — so that he may bring nourishment out of it — and joy.

Wine every day
If we can get into the habit of seeing “what’s happening now” as a gift from God, no matter how much it may go against our self-will and preferences, we’ll find that he has turned the water of tedium or difficulty into the joy of saying “yes” to his loving will for us. Our heart will be clear enough then to trust that everything he brings us has the hidden “wine” of joy, if we stay united with him in love.

Love always,
Rose

 

 

12 Responses to “How to Get Water Turned into Wine”

  2. Hilda A. Soares

    So true!!! Thank you for this reminder that we must not only be open to what God sends us, but we must be willing to accept it and say “yes” to what He is asking of us. ❤️

  3. Sharon ann obrien

    Rose,
    Your joy-filled reflection about joy is very helpful!

    Have joy-filled moments.

    Sharon

  6. Mary E Stroud

    Lord help me to listen to you in prayer and follow your commands. Rose, thus is a beautiful meditation. Thank you for sharing it.

  7. Rose Folsom

    COMMENTS ARRIVED VIA EMAIL:

    Thanks, Rose, and I really look forward to your upbeat messages every Sunday. I think they are lifesavers!
    Peace, prayers and love,
    Theresa
    +++
    Rose,
    Such a meaningful interpretation of the miracle at Cana.
    Thank you,
    PAMELA
    +++

  8. Tom Roberts

    I face my biggest challenge; to do nothing. I’m no longer a caretaker. I am instead widowed. My research career ended involuntarily when the funding ran out. Then, of course, there has been two years of isolating from COVID-19. Quite a challenge. However I have a couple of exercises in what some may say is doing nothing. They are Eucharistic Adoration and Contemplative prayer, regularly scheduled at my church. Nothing? Not the way I see it.

    • Anne

      Hi Tom, certainly a course of uncharted waters for you. I am glad That God is your port in a storm.

  9. Mary Anderson

    Sooooo Beautiful Rose!!
    Do we allow Jesus to do miracles in us each day!!!!
    Loooove it!
    🤗💖🤗

  10. Helen

    Wow, you have certainly accomplished turning this ordinary reading into a Wow! Never thought much about what the servants thought. I am so grateful for you and your words. Thank you so much my sweet Rose

  11. AddieLou Willis

    This is so beautiful. Thank you, Rose, for your faith-filled wisdom.