MONDAY.
The Marriage Feast at Cana.— I.
I. "And there was a marriage in Cana of Gallilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus also was invited and His disciples to the marriage." (John ii. 1.) Our kind Lord did not refuse to be present at the marriage feast, because He wished to do good to many, and besides to confirm His disciples in their faith. Observe with what gravity and modesty He behaves Himself on the occasion, and learn moderation in days of mirth and festivity. " Let the just feast" and rejoice, says the Psalmist, but it must be " before God." (Ps lxvii. 4.)
II. The wine began to fail, and the Blessed Virgin of her own accord without being asked, is anxious to relieve their necessity, in requital for their kind invitation, and therefore she tells her Son, " they have no wine." How much more anxious is this Holy Virgin, in regard to the spiritual necessities of those who are devoted to her. " By how much she is more holy than the other saints," says St. Augustine, " by so much is she more anxious for our good." Beseech her to intercede with her Blessed Son in your behalf, for you stand much in need of the wine of charity and devotion.
III. Christ replies to her, with seeming harshness, " Woman, what is that to Me and to thee." (John ii. 4.) By this answer He teaches His followers, not to appoint God a time in which He must help us, as those did, who were reprehended by Judith, " You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed Him a day, according to your pleasure." (Judith viii. 13.) He wishes to teach us also, that in the service of God, we
