Enduring Joy: What Serving Refugees Taught Me
What Miracle at Cana Do You Need in Your Life?
Photo by Paul La Rosa on Unsplash
The Miracle at Cana Gospel really spoke to me this weekend, probably because I am planning a wedding and starting a life with someone right now, and inevitably, we’ve run into a problem that we need God’s help resolving.
The Miracle at Cana is Jesus’ first miracle and Mary helps bring it forth with her quiet ask of Jesus and trust that He will provide for the immediate need.
How interesting that God chose a wedding, a coming together of two people sharing one flesh, for His first miracle. What message could be hidden in the details of this Gospel that can apply to the miracles we need in our life? I’d like to suggest a few.
- God’s miracles and wonders come not just in the form of religious experiences. Often, they are in the immediate needs of our everyday life. When I look back on my own life, most of the miracles were practical things I needed to move forward through an obstacle.
- God uses others to bring forth the miracle. Jesus is the star of the show and the miracle power rests in Him, but others played a role in making it happen. Mary made the ask. People brought the wine jugs and filled them with water. We too play a role in bringing about the miracles God wants to work in others’ lives.
- Asking and trusting in God is key. Mary makes an ask of Jesus and then she trusts Him. If we want something solved in our lives, we should ask for it, and then trust that God will deliver in whatever surprising ways He feels fit. We should also ask for Mary’s intercession for our needs.
- God is not in the business of shame. This miracle had an element of “saving face” so that the couple getting married would not be embarrassed about running out of wine. God cares about shielding us from shame and embarrassment. He is always in the business of protecting and upholding our dignity as His children. We are not forsaken, desolate, or unloved. We are His.
So ask yourself what “miracle at Cana” you need in your life. What do you need to ask for? What do you need to trust? Where is God trying to “save face” and protect your dignity and goodness? And are there others in your life that need to play a role in bringing it about? Or maybe you are someone who is called to play a role in bringing about a miracle for someone else.
May this Gospel inspire you to ask for, trust in, and help bring about miracles.
About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, and certified health and life coach. She volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the poor, is an active mentor to many individuals, and a prolific writer. Her writing interests and focus areas include spiritual development, reflections on the Gospel life, Franciscian spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and work/daily living. She is the published author of Called to Corporate: Lessons of Growing in Faith and Holiness from the Corporate Cubicle.
