After the Wedding Feast

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days. John 2:1-12 

After the Wedding Feast

All that company, all that confusion
a few days to sit, relax and visit
a few moments to tell our old stories
and to make up some new ones together.

There are things we do as a family
activities as a tribe of people together
we include beloved friends and welcome
our children's dear companions.

We offer food to everyone who shows
we let them sit and listen to our songs
we make them welcome and safe
yet we crave our time together alone.

After the wedding feast they sat
together again since time had passed
mother Mary looking at her eldest child
while brothers teased until dark descended.

The hours and days after that feast
when the family can let down it's hair
are the most precious times when jokes
music, stories and great hopes fly.

Listen, if you will to the silence
the gatherings of the left overs
the family eating well past midnight
you will know the heart of the people.