Remember this story from John’s gospel? Most of it takes place behind the scenes, as Jesus quietly saves the day. Still, there are those who get a glimpse of his glory and all those present at the wedding get to taste and enjoy the fruits.
1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.
3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”
11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Prayers of the people
inspired by John 2:1-11
Eternal God of the ages, we would bow as empty vessels waiting to be filled but our minds and souls are busy with many things which impede our being filled by you. We become preoccupied with our worries.
- We worry about our children.
- We worry about our personal finances.
- We worry about how well we will perform our duties.
- We worry about our health.
- We worry about terror in our world.
- We worry about war.
Help us to divest ourselves of the cares and troubles which so daily beset us. Empty us of them now that we may be filled.
- May we be filled with a sense of your presence.
- May we be filled with the touch of your spirit.
- May we be filled with new energy.
- May we be filled with your power.
- May we be filled with trust and faith.
Empower us as we worship here and then enable us to impact your world for Jesus. Change the stagnant water of our lives to wine and touch us as you touched those people in Cana.
Be with our men and women in harm’s way and all those touched by the tragedy of war. Give them strength for each day as daily they must live with terror.
Give to the leaders of our world the resolve to wage war not on people but on poverty, injustice, hunger, disease, and all manner of human suffering. Give them the vision to shape a new world where self-interest is tempered and corrected by love and compassion and a hunger for justice.
Give to all the world the gift of being filled with new wine and new vision.
Amen
~ written by Richard Einerson, and posted on re:worship
From the blog
Quiet near a little stream
St Patrick’s Breastplate embodied
In the school of prayer with Anselm
