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In this Sunday's Gospel, when Mary informed Jesus that there was a problem with the wine, he responded, "Woman, how does your concern affect me?" It's an idiomatic expression, which suggests they should ignore it. Christ then stated unequivocally why they should leave it alone. "My hour has not yet come," he said. That should have been the end of it, but in the next line, Mary instructs the waiters to "do whatever he tells you." What's more intriguing is that Christ performed a miracle!

Mary's insistence on getting her way appears impolite. But, according to Frank J. Sheed, that is not how we should interpret it. We know Mary is a humble person who would never conceive of knowing more than Jesus. Yet how is it that Christ claimed his time had not yet come, but it had in the next moment? Sheed explains why this is the case. He claims that Mary, in her humility, solely followed the Holy Spirit's promptings. Then, at that precise moment, Christ knew that this was THE time, and he performed the miracle.

We must recognize that this was no easy task for Mary. Until this point, Jesus had not been a well-known figure. He was almost as unknown as the village of Nazareth, where he was born and raised. But by delivering his first miracle, Jesus began what was known as his "public life" — a life in which vast crowds pressed around him all the time. In the two or more years that followed, Jesus would spend most of his time with his apostles, developing his ministry and training them for the Church he would build upon them. He wouldn't be spending as much time with Mary anymore. Gone were the days when he'd come home and they'd have supper together, speak about their days, and simply enjoy each other's company. That would all change. She could have simply ignored the Holy Spirit's leading and kept Jesus for herself, but we can see that this was the way Mary intended to give us her son. It must have been difficult, for no good mother would willingly give up her children. Jesus was, in some ways, her gift to us. She must have suffered inside as a mother in order to offer us this gift.

There are also, Eucharistic overtones to this miracle. When the lands got hungry due to a famine in Genesis, Pharaoh said to Joseph (the patriarch) the same thing Mary said: "... do whatever he tells you." (Genesis 41:55) 

(Genesis 41:55) Reading the Old Testament on a regular basis reveals that God desires to feed his people, and Joseph was one of those designated to do so. He is a foreshadowing of Christ, who would nourish us spiritually rather than physically: his body and blood. During the Last Supper (which is alluded to as a wedding banquet in the Book of Revelation), the apostles in this Wedding in Cana would have remembered that if he could simply convert water into wine, he could also turn bread into his body and wine into his blood.

These recurrent verses describing how God wants to feed us make up Salvation History. In some ways, we may thank Mary for this, because she was the one who initiated the miracle that pushed Jesus into public life. We must also be grateful for her selflessness, which resulted in the gift of her son to us.

Blessings in Christ,

Mo. Allison+

Back in the Dark Ages, even we Monks had a sporting event. Whoever kicked the can, actually a pot, down the road the farthest would get a prize. An extra helping of shepherd’s pie or plum pudding!

Today, kicking the can down the road means putting off things until tomorrow, such as solving a problem or avoiding responsibility. Unfortunately, today many stewards put off prayer, going to church, helping the homeless, or giving to the offertory collection.

We’ll do it next week, they say. But just like in the old days, there is a prize for acting today. So don’t kick the can down the road. Use our time, talents, and treasure, today and every day, to fulfill God’s mission on earth. If we do, we’ll win His merciful and unrequited Love, an eternal prize above all. And you can’t kick about that!

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Be present, O God, in your goodness with your faithful servants, that their weakness may be banished and their strength restored, that their health be renewed, and they may bless your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the ends of the earth, I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and great in mercy.

The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.

God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

The Lord sets prisoners free.

The Lord gives sight to the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down.

The Lord’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your servants and give your power of healing to those in need, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. Amen

A new edition of Forward Day by Day, Daily Devotions for Disciples, for February, March, and April, has arrived. Copies both large and small print may be found in the narthex. Please help yourself. We would also be glad to mail you a copy. Call the church office 609-368-5922 or email saintmarysstoneharbor@gmail.com

Hilary was born of a powerful pagan family in Gaul. He became a Christian and, perhaps due to the prestige of his name, was elected Bishop of Poitiers as a young, married layman. He accepted the call and threw himself wholeheartedly into the task of shepherding his flock.

In his time, many Christians in Gaul were Arians. That is, they accepted Jesus as their master and son of God but denied that he was truly God. Hilary questioned the truth of such teaching and was soon exiled by the Arian leaders of the church. He fled to the Eastern Mediterranean, then the heartland of Christianity, and there he learned theology and developed his pastoral skills. Tutored by the same Christian leaders who wrote the Nicene Creed, Hilary became a champion of the orthodox Christian faith. He not only returned to his diocese, but he eventually gained general acceptance there and exerted influence throughout Western Europe.

He was a tireless teacher. One of his famous pupils was Martin of Tours. Hilary was largely responsible for the acceptance of the Nicene Creed in Western Europe. We honor him best when we seek a genuine understanding of Trinitarian doctrine.

Grant that we may hold fast to your servant Hilary"s faith in Jesus Christ as Very God and Very Man. Amen.

O Lord our God, you raised up your servant Hilary to be a champion of the catholic faith: Keep us steadfast in that true faith which we professed at our baptism, that we may rejoice in having you for our Father, and may abide in your Son, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

The 2022 Flower Chart is now posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Altar flowers are a wonderful way to honor loved ones throughout the year. Choose a date on the chart and fill in the name of who you would like remembered and by whom. A donation may be sent to the church office. Flowers may be removed after the service and taken home or delivered to a shut-in.

Dorothy Haig on January 16th, Patti Lehr on January 17th, and Stella Danks on January 18th!

Dot will be celebrating her 95th Birthday! We would like to shower her with cards. If you would like to send her your good wishes, her address is: 1402 Rt. 9 South, #141, Garden Lake, Cape May Court House NJ 08210

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January 16th, following the service, Vestry meeting

January 20th and continues weekly: Holy Hour Devotion at 3 PM (chapel)

January 23rd: Following the service, Annual Meeting

Feb. 5th: Examen, meditation, and prayer. A service of Hope and Healing with the laying on of hands at 5:30 pm (chapel)

February 12th: Vestry Mini-Retreat 10 am–2:00 pm

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.

Sunday 9:00 AM Live on Facebook

Services, studies, and service bulletins may be accessed on our website: www.stmarysstoneharbor.org