St. Mary the Virgin

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 

We celebrate Mary today. This feast is called the feast of Mary the Virgin, although, we know she lived a full life and had many children. She was at a family wedding with Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. At that point, she knew his capacity better than he did. Honestly, every mother understands their child often better than they understand themselves. We often put Mary on a pedestal, yet in my mind, she is planted firmly on the earth. She was faithful, strong, a refugee, abused, and brokenhearted. She was willing to forgo her own safety and reputation for God and for her child. Her life was never easy and she was never given status or great honor in her lifetime. Yet she carried the Savior of the world and paid a great price for her faithfulness.

Wondrous God, you fashioned Mary for strength

more than a vessel she was a gracious leader

taking on the abuse and ridicule of her people

in order to safely bring us a loving Savior.

Mary did not hold back the strength given

she guided and disciplined her children

she model sacrificial servant leadership

and fiercely protected her offspring and family.

Let us honor the faithful women in our lives

never perfect but always strong and sacrificial

the ones who work from the back rooms

and who feed the world so we might know your love. Amen.