Espoused

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Espoused

Water     Wine

Requesting     Changing     Pouring

Beginning of His Signs

Manifestation

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Isaiah 62: 4 and 5

No more will anyone say that you are "Forsaken" or where you live "Desolate".

You shall be spoken of as "My Delight" and where you live "Espoused".

For the Lord delights in you and transforms your land into God's spouse.

John 2: 1 to 5; 7; 10-11a

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was present. Jesus and His disciples were also welcomed. When there was no more wine left, Mary went to Jesus and said, "They have run out of wine." 

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why should I get involved with this? It is not my hour."

Mary went to the servers and said, "Just follow whatever He says."

Jesus said, "Fill those jars with water."

When the headwaiter tasted the wine from the jars, he said, "Most people serve the good wine first. You have saved the best wine for now."

Jesus did the beginning of his signs here at Cana in Galilee.

Reflection

Isaiah is trying to console the people. They are discouraged because of the experience of the exile. 

They were driven from the land by the Babylonians. Many were taken to a different land.

Isaiah, inspired by the Holy Spirit, looks beyond this. He knows that God never forgets the people.

He talks about the marriage between God and the people. The Lord delights in the people and is wedded to the land.

It is a great image for how much God loves us. We all find it impossible to accept that our God can love us this deeply. It is beyond us to comprehend this Love.

The author of John picks up on this imagery in telling us the story of the wedding feat at Cana. The situation again seems very difficult---there is no wine left!

Can you imagine a wedding feast at this time without wine? If you were the groom, how embarrassed would you be?

Mary encourages a reluctant Jesus. She knows the heart of her son. 

This amazing miracle brings new life to the wedding. It shows us the power of Jesus---the power of Love.

Jesus delights in us in the same way that two lovers delight in one another. They want to spend time with each other. They want to share their deep love in that same way that Jesus wants to share His Love with us.

Enjoy your God who delights so deeply in you.

1. How deeply does God delight in you?

2. Do you see yourself as Espoused to God?

3. As you ponder Kathy's photo, what do you feel?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)