Witness of Hope - "They Have No Wine"

“They have no wine.” I have always loved this story in John’s Gospel (John 2:1-11). “The mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.” I’m sure that Mary was the friend or family member loved enough to be invited. Jesus and his disciples, less known or not known at all, were invited out of politeness and respect for Mary. Guests were enjoying the hospitality of the hosts, celebrating this special event.

Who doesn’t love going to a wedding reception? Being a guest is meant to be enjoyable. That is what hospitality is all about. In this case, there was a crisis looming. The hosts were just learning that in spite of all their preparations, they were running out of wine. Mary might have been sitting with the bride’s mother and overheard the whispers. What we know is that she found Jesus, took him aside, and with concern in her voice, told him, “They have no wine.” Mary noticed and Jesus listened. Her action led to his.

There was a time in my life—many years in fact—when I would pray and give Jesus a very long to-do list. After all, like Mary, I notice things: Fix this, cure that, calm this, help them. It seemed so simple, and I knew just what he needed to do. So did Jesus, because I gave very specific directions—so as not to waste his time. Eventually, as my own maturity and life’s complexities evolved, I learned to pray with a sense of humor. Now, I can shake my head as I remember my sincerity wanting to help—or, more like me, fix things—as I told him what to do. I think Jesus is chuckling, as we do with a well meaning child.

Thanks to Mary, Jesus and I have different conversations now. She has taught me and has helped me through many challenges over the years. How often I felt that I was alone in the solving and recovering. When you don’t have many helpers around, and you are the main helper, it is easy to forget to ask for the grace—to ask for the help.

The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life showed me—through Mary’s example and guidance— how to stop telling Jesus what to do. In the Wedding Feast reflection, I learned how to hope for the best outcome for her friends. In my own life, as I struggle to trust that hope is possible, I hear her say, “Mare, bring the problem to Jesus.” When I read that Gospel passage, I can never hear Mary’s tone of voice—but Jesus did, and he hears mine. He sees my tears and feels my aching heart.

I am no longer reluctant to share my concerns in prayer, thanks to Mary, and lately those concerns are a litany:

- Jesus, there are children lost in a flood, and their parents are lost in that sorrow.

- Jesus, my friend is so worried about her husband’s illness.

- Jesus, a dear man is trying so hard to find a job, and he is always #2 on the list. He doesn’t give up, but he is tired and discouraged.

- Jesus, I am afraid for immigrants at risk, for the hungry, the homeless, for the innocents in war zones around the world. I feel their suffering and bring my sense of helplessness to you.

- Jesus, I am missing the presence of dear ones who have died. All I have is this constant ache, and my arms are empty.

I never realized until today that the most important message is in Mary’s last words: “Do whatever he tells you.” She said that to the servants at the wedding, and she says this to us today. It is that simple.

Ask, and it will be given to you.

Come to me, and I will give you rest.

Feed my sheep.

Do not be afraid.

Love everyone as I have loved you.

Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

Follow me.

Who has no wine in my life today? Who can I hope with—and hope for? May we all hope…and ask…for the grace to follow Mary to Jesus; the grace of noticing, and the sensitivity and courage to act.

Going Deeper:

• “They have no wine.” Who comes to mind when you read those words, when you ponder them? Can you see their face/s? What is your heart feeling? Spend some time with them. The faces and stirrings in your heart are graced memories from the Holy Spirit.

• Each of us has a different litany of concerns. Please, write yours down, and bring them to Jesus.

• Each of us is being called to do something, to co-labor with Christ to love and support the people in our lives. Who are they, and what is it that I/we can do to love as Jesus asks us? Write that list down and bring it to Jesus. Join me in asking in prayer if there is anyone or anything we are missing?

Photo by Jahanzeb Ahsan on Unsplash

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Mary Ann Gessner

Mary Ann Gessner has worked with all generations as an art teacher, in Nursing Homes as Recreation Director, Social Services and Admissions Director and Administrator. She was the Director of Admission with a focus on international student recruitment for St. Johnsbury Academy and holds a BA in Studio Art and Art Education from the University of Bridgeport, CT and a M.S.A. from St. Michael’s College in VT. Since retiring in 2015, Mary Ann enjoyed the gift of time to nest, quilt, and cook. This gift of time became more intentional and led to Ignatian Spirituality via the Inner Chapel and Becky’s Overwhelmed No More retreat and the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises. Mary Ann is an Ignatian trained spiritual director in private practice, a CPE trained Interfaith Chaplain and is applying her love of storytelling as a writer. Her two sons have moved gracefully into their adult lives with their families. Mary Ann and her husband still live in the log home they built almost 50 years ago in the woods of Sheffield, Vermont.