Short Stories

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Long ago, in the days of Herod there was an old priest named Zechariah. He and his wife of many years, Elizabeth, had honored God in all their long days, but they never had children. One day an angel appeared to Zechariah during his service at the temple and told him his wife would have a son and they would name him John. Zechariah's astonishment cost him his voice until the baby came.

When Elizabeth was in her sixth month she had a visit from her cousin Mary. When they greeted one another, the babe in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy for the Holy Spirit had come upon them both. Elizabeth saw with the eyes of faith and exclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" She knew that Mary was carrying the Lord, although the angel had told Mary only a short while before. Then Mary knew by that exclamation the life that was in her. She had believed Gabriel, but now she knew as only a mother can know her child.

After three months John was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah. As the boy grew, he waxed strong in spirit and stayed in the deserts until his day would come. Jesus was born to Mary and grew into a pious youth who studied Torah and remembered all he read. He taught the Doctors of Wisdom in the temple when he was only twelve and grew up into a hard working carpenter who taught when he could. As he grew older he traveled more and a group of likeminded men began to follow after him. Jesus taught a new saying that they desired to hear more, about the Kingdom of God.

Upon a time, Jesus came to his cousin's feast of wedding at Cana in the land of Galilee. His mother and their family was at the house already with many friends but there were others who had come to see the rabbi priest. He was of David's family, and stories had been whispered. It was a day of joyful expectation but there were so many guests that after a while the wine was giving out and the wedding had not yet begun.

Then Mary came to Jesus and said, "They have no wine."
Jesus looked at her, held her hands and smiling said, "O woman, what is it you would do to me?"

Mary looked at him, first sharing in his mirth; but held his gaze a moment more. Then flashed in his mind a phrase they had shared many times before, "My time has not yet come."

But his eyes were already on the stone water jars by the well.
Mary stepped away from her son and to the servants said, "Whatever he says to you, you do it."

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