And there she was… the Mother of Jesus.

And where she is, there is peace, joy, and security.

And there she was, with her watchful and charitable gaze, solicitous and loving.

The newlyweds and their guests joyfully enjoyed the festivities of that wedding day.

Meanwhile, she made sure that nothing was lacking in the joy of that simple celebration.

And with what discreet solicitude, with what loving prudence, she carries out her duties!

The wine will run out; she foresees it.

But she is not content with merely foreseeing it.

Her heart is moved; how can she allow the joy of those simple newlyweds to be disturbed, and how can she let the embarrassment of their lack of foresight shame them? No! And she solicitously seeks the remedy for that need.

Her Son is there.

She knows his heart very well.

And she approaches, discreet and loving: "Vinum non habent": They have no wine.

Jesus's response seems negative at first glance. But it isn't.

Mary is so certain that she has been heard that, without waiting, she orders the servants: "Do whatever he tells you."

And the miracle happens, at Mary's request, and the water is turned into wine.

Abundant, delicious, exquisite wine, the best of the feast.

The need has been met, and with such discretion that even the master of the banquet hasn't noticed what has happened.

Oh Mary! Where you are, nothing can be lacking.

You are the all-powerful intercessor. And your word hastens the hour of Jesus's miracles.

That is why my trust in you can have no limits.

It is enough to open my heart, and let the emptiness within it appear;  I lack humility, and I lack charity toward my brothers and sisters, and I lack sincerity with myself, and I lack love for my God, and I lack…

Yet you see all these shortcomings, all these miseries. And your heart is moved. And you ask your Son for me.

Your prayer reaches all things. That is why my shortcomings do not discourage me, nor does the immense emptiness in my heart overwhelm me. You want to fill that emptiness and remedy these miseries.

But you want me to cooperate to the best of my meager strength.

And to me, as to the servants at Cana, you also say: “Do whatever He tells you.”

At Cana, the servants filled the jars with water.

I will offer the water of my tears, which is all I have.

That is enough. And let it fill my poor heart to the brim.

Those tears will be transformed.

And the wine of joy, of peace, of trust, will fill my heart.

Alberto Moreno S.I.
BETWEEN HIM AND ME