on empty?
“The wine ran out, and Jesus’ mother told Him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ” —John 2:3
In John’s Gospel, Jesus began His public ministry at a wedding feast where they had “no more wine.” Likewise, many people begin to let Jesus work in their lives when they realize they are out of wine, love, strength, energy, ideas, or hope. In the weakness of our emptiness, God’s power in us can reach perfection (2 Cor 12:9).
It is literally true that without Jesus we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Of ourselves, we are always on “empty” in the important things in life. Life is an impossible situation. This gradually or at least eventually becomes obvious. We are doomed to despair. Who can save us? (see Rm 7:24)
Jesus alone is our Savior. “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12). So the most important thing in life is to give our lives and our emptiness totally to Jesus. We must take Mary’s advice and do whatever Jesus tells us (Jn 2:5). Jesus is our only Hope.
We live in hope in His lordship over our lives. We express this hope through our obedience to Him. He will take us from our emptiness to the fullness of the wedding feast of heaven (see Rv 19:7). Thank You, Jesus!
Prayer: Father, I rejoice that “absolute fullness” resides in Jesus (Col 1:19).
Promise: “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch.” —Is 62:1
Praise: Praise You, Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life! (Jn 11:25) I rejoice in You forever!
Reference: (For a related teaching on Hope, listen to, download or order our AV 70-1 or V-70 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.