The best Wine

Today’s Gospel Text:  On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. 3 When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. 9 When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-11

Reflection: Some really play their trump card first or if they were to make a speech then they would prefer to start with a bang and put forward the punch line first.

Yes that is how we must operate in order to be successful: When you sit for your exams you answer what is high scoring and better known first and then go for the rest of the questions.

You go for an important date or interview you will put on the best clothes for the occasion.

A grocer may sell what is best first in order to attract customers or if he sells what is best last then too it is for a reason; so that he can get a better price for quality.

But when in it comes to certain things of life, for eg. wine and alcohol people behave differently, they give what is best last. Why?

We are here, many a times, with our sinful self, only to impress and deceive. 

The worst is that we even deceive ourselves without realizing it, we do not give ourselves the best that we can actually have. In other words the best that we actually avail ourselves of, even though we may be convinced about it, is not in reality the best that we give ourselves.

The wedding feast story is a reminder that God always wants to give us the best and that the best wine that humans help themselves with, even if it is first, is not the best.

Jesus came precisely for this reason, so that we may have the best wine; the wine that defeats every human standards of joy, happiness and pleasures of life. 

What is more, it surpasses it to an extent that even if we are not in a state of right judgment due to our inebriated condition we will be able to say: "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."

To those who have eyes to see and believe; the best wine comes to us through the mediation of Mary! Alleluia! 

Prayer: Lord, we need a constant taste of your wine to keep us on the path of righteousness, so as not to walk in self-deception.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Weighed Down

Today’s Gospel Text:  "But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; 35 for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:34-36

Reflection: What is the human heart made of that it not only sustains life by carrying blood to various parts of the body but is also the seat of emotions?

It can flutter, or get terrified gripped with fear, or miss a heartbeat, or can get heavy, or be filled with lust and love, or even jump with joy, etc.

Jesus too, when he invites us to be cautious, adds some of the possibilities the human heart is capable of, viz., of that of being weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and cares of this world.

When the stomach is empty the mind doesn't always think, when the hands are loaded you cannot do another job like wise when the heart is weighed down the mind cannot arrive at right decisions. 

Hence like a good teacher Jesus cautions us to desist and to be always prepared by avoiding those things which can kill our discerning abilities and prevent us to receive the free gift of Salvation offered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Such a thing can happen if our hearts are weighed down. 

What are these cares of the world that Jesus cautions us about and which can weigh our hearts down? 

It could be anything that we spend our precious time on; either in an addictive way or pleasurable way.

Hence whether it is our addictions on social networking sites and internet surfing, the games and enjoyments that we spend time on, the preoccupation with eating and drinking, looking out for more friends and partners, pornography, drugs, excessive preoccupation with health, wealth, possessions and relationships, excess love of self and gratifications, entertaining ourselves to deal with our boredom, worldly news and gossips, etc., are instances of cares of the world. 

The heart addicted to these cares, never wants to give up even though it weighs it down, destroying our reasoning’s to seek the right values. Above all, it prevents us to perceive  the great meaning in the sacrifice of Jesus and the good news of salvation which he freely offers to all those who are willing to accept it.

Prayer:  Lord give me the help of your Holy Spirit to discern and surrender those elements of sin that weighs my heart down so as to prevent your life and grace to rule my life.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Debauchery

Scripture: "But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; 35 for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:34-36 

Reflection: Parents always caution their children. And if the children are weak or vulnerable or have tasks that are difficult then there are additional cautions; “Take heed”

Who will warn a grownup who is free from the charge of his parent? Perhaps his good friend or a kind neighbor may do so. But if they do not know the lurking danger on account of the dangerous activities, one gets involved in such as debauchery, drunkenness and the cares of this life, then who will be knowledgeable enough to correct?

Only Jesus can, the Jesus who died and rose and who lives in our midst and still speaks to us.  Allow him to warn you so as to correct yourself.

Prayer:  Lord, may I seek you so as to allow you to speak to me.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us