Sometimes life can throw a curveball into your marriage. External factors. Internal factors. Matrimony is a vocation. Vocations sanctify our souls and there is no sanctification without effort. What do you do during those times when marriage becomes difficult? The fifth pregnancy. Perhaps no pregnancies. Miscarriage. Unemployment. Alcoholism. Depression. Illness. Disagreements. Discouragements. Of course, marriage is a great gift and full of joy. But what happens when the wine runs out and all you have is water?
During Epiphanytide, we recall Christ our Lord changing water into wine at the wedding of Cana. This was the occasion at which Christ, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, raised marriage to the dignity of a sacrament. Here’s the passage to freshen up your memory:
3 And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. 7 Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. 9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, 10 And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:2-11)
Sometimes, you just have to turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary and say, “We have no wine. The joy has run out. All we have here is water. Please transform it!”
This is a supernatural approach to Holy Matrimony. We must realize that all the goods of matrimony flow from the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. No matter how hard it gets, Jesus and Mary can turn water into wine. Jesus can transform the dull, uninspiring, and mediocre events of our lives into an exciting vintage that makes the heart merry.
Honestly, the folks at the Wedding of Cana did not expect Christ and His Mother to accomplish something so sweet. This demonstrates the magnanimity of Christ and Mary to mankind and especially to those who are married. They will turn your water into wine. Just ask them humbly. However, if you don’t fill up the jugs, that is, if you don’t fulfill your natural duties in marriage, don’t expect a miracle. The more water in the jugs, the more they can transform into wine.
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