Ephraim of Jericho

When he came again to Jericho I sought Him out and said to Him: “Master, on the morrow my son will take a wife. I beg you come to the wedding-feast and do us honour, even as you honoured the wedding at Cana of Galilee.”

And He answered: “It is true that I was once a guest at a wedding-feast, but I shall not be a guest again. I am myself now the Bridegroom.”

And I said: “I entreat you, Master, come to the wedding-feast of my son.”

And He smiled as though He would rebuke me, and said: “Why do you entreat me? Have you not wine enough?”

And I said: “My jugs are full, Master; yet I beseech you, come to my son’s wedding-feast.”

Then He said: “Who knows? I may come, I may surely come, if your heart is an altar in your temple.”

Upon the morrow my son was married, but Jesus came not to the wedding-feast. And though we had many guests, I felt that no one had come.

In very truth, I myself who welcomed the guests, was not there.

Perhaps my heart had not been an altar when I invited Him. Perhaps I desired another miracle.