A Poem, A Proverb, A Painting, A Prayer: A Lenten Journey-- Day 6, Monday after the 1st Sunday in Lent

This is the sixth in a series of Lenten devotionals put together by Mother Leslie for this season of Lent, 2025. We hope this proves to be uplifting to you through your Lenten journey.

Today's Theme: The Miracle at the Wedding at Cana, from today's Daily Office

Day 6: Monday after the 1st Sunday in Lent

Poem: The Wedding Toast

St. John tells how, at Cana's wedding feast,

The water-pots poured wine in such amount

That by his sober count

There were a hundred gallons at the least.

It made no earthly sense, unless to show

How whatsoever love elects to bless

Brims to a sweet excess

That can without depletion overflow.

Which is to say that what love sees is true;

That this world's fullness is not made but found.

Life hungers to abound

And pour its plenty out for such as you.

Now, if your loves will lend an ear to mine

,I toast you both, good son and dear new daughter.

May you not lack for water,

And may that water smack of Cana's wine.

--------Richard Wilbur (1921-2017) US Poet Laureate in 1987 and two time winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry

Proverb:

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.”

----Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Painting: The Wedding at Cana 1984, by Sadao Watanabe (1917-1996)

Prayer:

O Divine Comforter,

We lift our hearts and minds to you today

in gratitude for all your innumerable blessings.

As your Son our Savior Jesus Christ

performed his first miracle at a wedding in Cana

in order to ensure abundance and hospitality for all,

embolden us to give generously

to alleviate the needs around us with humility and grace.

May we seek to embody,

measure for measure,

your generous and compassionate heart.

Feed us with your love,

that we may be strengthened to act with lovingkindness

to all whom we encounter.

Amen.

--- Leslie Barnes Scoopmire