The Wedding Banquet

"On the third day there was a wedding in 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." (1)

Ambassadors Of Joy

This life is a wedding banquet,
Where we are servants of the heart:
The guests are those whom we have met,
And served what love we could impart.

But soon our hearts of good intent,
Have given all they had to give;
And joy becomes embitterment --
Can vinegary hearts forgive?

Then guests complain to Father-host,
And Mother hears those who have cried:
"They have no joy -- what they need most!"
The Son takes the servants aside.

He has them empty their stone hearts,
And fill them with Living Water;
His Miracle of Life imparts,
A Love that flows without falter.

His Love flows free to all who draw,
And imparts joy on ev'ry guest.
The servant's heart, though weak with flaw,
Serves Christ's own Love, which is the best!

Lord, help us servants to be true
To Mother's words -- simple, yet coy:
To do "whatever He tells you"
And be ambassadors of joy.






(c) Paul Buis, 2001

_________________________
(1) John 2:1-10