They have no wine

John 2:3-5, 10

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.”

... “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.” 

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The inferior wine runs out. It does not last; it does not suffice; it does not abide for the fullness of joy meant to flow freely at the wedding banquet. So too, our earthly passions and ambitions, however delightful they may first seem, do not last, do not suffice, do not abide for the fullness of joy flowing freely at Heaven's eternal nuptial feast.

Yet Mary, ever attentive to the needs of all (be they servants, guests, or members of the wedding party), ever attentive to the purpose of the Great Covenant Meal, ever attentive to the fullness of joy which all are meant to know and share, is not content to merely observe our dilemma in pity. She immediately goes to the only fountain of abiding, everlasting joy that could ever satisfy our deepest longings and fulfill our soul's true purpose: to the Glorious One, to God's only begotten Son, the Bridegroom of bridegrooms who knows more than any other what it means to wait for the fullness of joy to be shared in the fullness of time.

As our earthly wine runs out, as our earthly joy runs its course and finds no way to replenish itself, there is Jesus, invited in along with all his friends. The most honored guest, Heaven's Bridegroom, bestows honor to the earthly bridegroom facing shame along with all his servants. The first shall be last and the last shall be first, even as the first sign of his great glory is wed to the last: God's great glory, crying out, "I thirst."

The better wine, the best wine, heaven's full delight and joy, pours out abundantly at last, cleansing every participant from the shortness of their earthly desires. He himself has drunk our inferior wine, knowing well our thirst; yet, in bitterness and gall he drank. At the hour of his great suffering, we served it to him sour, spoiled past its time.

"It is finished."

Our wine runs out. Our earthly plans run their course, their promise of joy not abiding, leaving only emptiness at the feast— or at best, vinegar for the thirsty.

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come! Let the one who is thirsty drink without price. There is a river flowing forth from the throne of Paradise; come, drink! The Bridegroom has saved the best for last!

Highest heaven knows the deepest thirst: 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins... My blood is true drink.'

Come, and know the fullest, abiding joy. The inferior wine runs out, while the eternal fount of God's own life never runs dry; for he gives the Spirit without measure, pouring himself out fully to fully satisfy your soul.

Come! As he, so also you, along with all your friends, are invited to the wedding feast!"