February 11, 2026 // Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel for the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes: John 2:1-11
Reflect on the Word //
I have heard of many instantaneous miracles in the waters of the grotto at Lourdes or the many Marian shrines throughout the world. I also know that sometimes the miracles are slow, arriving months or even years after the pilgrimage, the tears, and the prayers.
More than the miracles, today’s Gospel reading highlights the greatest gift that those who pray for the Blessed Mother’s intercession as they visit the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes or other holy places receive—the gift of deeper faith. They might receive the gift of physical healing, but more often than not, the person leaves with a deepened awareness of God’s faithfulness resulting in greater trust, joy, and faith.
The waiters in today’s Gospel stepped forward in faith to do what they were commanded to do. When they took the jars and “filled them to the brim” (John 2:7), it was an act of trust. They did not begin to explain to Jesus how this was a ridiculous request or ask for the reason why they should fill them. They simply understood in their depths, I can imagine, that the Man Who was speaking to them meant what He said. He had a plan and they chose to cooperate.
The Lord commands us to trust Him, to surrender to His will instead of ours, to accept His plans and the ways in which He wants to redeem our stories more than how we’d like to shape them. As we step out in faith to trust when it is difficult and to hope when we are tempted to despair, we may not see the water changed into wine immediately. Yet, we know, as did the waiters, that the Lord is trustworthy. That is something we can put our faith in and bet our bottom dollar on. He is already changing our water into wine, transforming our great lack into a marvelous blessing. Because in His Heart, Christ is affected by our Lady’s intercession for us when she whispers to Him in the throne room of Heaven, “She has no wine” (see John 2:3-5).
Relate to the Lord // Do not grow weary is asking the Lord for a miracle. Entrust your intentions to Our Lady of Lourdes and persevere in prayer and hope.
