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guided by a community of the most devout. It can be said: She did not make my way easier. I was unhappy with her forebodings; she had the power to foretell certain events.
    In the midst of this quiet but unyielding dispute there came a diversion. A marriage was taking place in Cana, a town not far from Nazareth. The father of the bride, a wealthy man who had once hired Joseph and his carpenters to construct a fine house, now invited my mother, myself, and my brothers, James and John, to this wedding. And it would be the first time that Mary had left her home since Joseph died. Indeed, she remained so doubtful of whether to go or not to go that by the time we arrived, it was late and the ceremony had ended. My mother, most embarrassed, looked about sharply and said, "They are without wine." So many had come from the village to celebrate that all the wine was gone.
    Her voice was telling me that when a nuptial feast becomes dry, happiness will soon depart; it is an omen of misery for the new husband and wife. So I thought to try such powers as might now belong to me.
    Before us were six large stone jars of water, and on a table was one red grape, no more, and that grape I ate slowly and with much contemplation of the Spirit who resided within. Indeed, I could feel an angel at my side. In that instant, the water in the jars became wine. I knew this. It had been accomplished by no more than the clear taste of one grape and the presence of one angel.
    I felt near to the Kingdom of God. For now I knew that this Kingdom was composed of much beauty. My Father was not only the God of wrath but could offer tenderness as gentle as the concern that rests in the touch of one's hand. All the same, I was also full of sorrow. For I had a vision of a great feast that I would never see. Before long, therefore, I chose to leave; James and John could walk home with my mother.
    As I left I could hear the uncle of the bride speak to the groom: "Every host sets forth good wine at the beginning, but when all are drunk, then wine which is not as good is presented. Yet you kept your best wine for the end and so your marriage will be blessed."
    That was the first of my miracles, and took place in Cana of Galilee. I was not quick, however, to praise myself, since the angel sent by my Father whispered into my thoughts: "Even as a barrel overflowing with honey can soon be emptied, so does the foolish son scatter his store of miracles." Therefore, I did not tell my mother. She was merely pleased that there had been wine after all, and so she was of slightly better heart concerning my departure. In the morning I set out with no more than a staff, a cloak, my sandals, and her tears.

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    I had thought of preaching in Capernaum, half a day's walk from Nazareth. Despite what the Devil had told me, I still wished to think of the prophet Isaiah as my guide, and he had written: "By way of the sea beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the gentiles, the people who sat in darkness saw a great light." So I chose Capernaum. It was on the Sea of Galilee (which is only a lake but as large as a sea), and the River Jordan flowed south from there to Jerusalem.
    Before leaving for Capernaum, however, I decided to speak at the synagogue in Nazareth. Since my tongue was hardly the equal of my hands when they worked with wood, I thought to begin where some, at least, would know me.
    But at first I could say no more to the congregation than: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The end is near." These words brought back no more than silence. How could people wish the Day of Judgment to be on them, and so soon? Indeed, it was a sunny morning in Nazareth. I, full of new thoughts that faith, even when severe, must still be natural, as natural as breath, also said (and now I spoke in our ancient Hebrew): "I thank Thee, O Father, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes."
    Later I would see what Luke wrote in his gospel.
    "And