Ordinary Time

Pause

All eyes look to you, hoping,
and you give them their food right on time,
opening your hand
and satisfying the desire of every living thing.

Psalm 145:15-16

Listen

The headwaiter called the groom and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.” This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

John 2:9b-11

Think

Why would anyone keep the good wine until later? Life is short, we should eat dessert first, right? But Jesus’s first miracle shows that some of life’s riches don’t arrive right away. Sometimes, the greatest gifts come later than we would wish, because only time can make them possible.

My first year as a youth minister was a hard one – really hard, because the youth didn’t know me yet, so that meant they didn’t trust me. One week in Sunday School, I literally said, “Bueller? Bueller?” because no one would participate in the discussion. But over the years, we got really close. The youth ended up taking over the class and looked to me and their other teachers only for resources and support.

Sometimes we might wish we could fast-forward the tough parts. Get to the good wine. But we can’t get there without taking the time to develop those relationships, build that trust, prove that we’re on the same team. The riches of God’s grace don’t always appear instantaneously.

Jordan Haynie Ware

Pray

Give me patience, O God, and help me trust in you as I wait on the riches of your promises, which you have shown to the world in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Go

My mouth will proclaim the Lord’s praise,
and every living thing will bless God’s holy name
forever and always.

Psalm 145:21