John 2:1–11
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it.
9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
"Do whatever He tells you"
It is a joyful occasion that Jesus attends to start His Messianic Mission on earth. Let us concentrate on the context and on what to learn from today's Gospel.
This is a family's joyful festivity, where the "Mother of Jesus" is present as a close family member. We believe it is family because there is no mention of her being invited, but being present. John doesn't mention the name Mary in His Gospel. In a tradition that still holds today, rather than their given name, a parent is called the Mother or Father of their eldest son.
Jesus brings His disciples with Him to initiate them to their future mission. As is still done today among conservative Moslems and Jews in group gatherings, men can't be mixed with women in the same hall. The Mother of Jesus should be serving among women and separated from the men.
In order to preserve the family's reputation and ensure that the invitees enjoy themselves, the servants have to provide the guests with everything necessary, especially bread, meat and wine. The presence of wine is a sign of blessing, and incidentally one of the three items that must be consumed at Passover celebrations.
The wine ran out and the family's honor is at risk. Even the full blessings for the groom and the bride will not be fulfilled. The Mother of Jesus decides to challenge all social and legal restrictions, as she has already done at the Annunciation.
The woman enters the men's gathering. She is not asking for anything, but telling her Son,"They have no wine" (v. 3). Thanks to her full trust in Him, she doesn't request anything. She just tells Him what the situation is, leaving the rest to His wisdom and care. Full of knowledge and trust, she asks the servants to do whatever He tells them (v. 5). Jesus intervenes, changing water into wine, which is much better than the ordinary wine they first serve.
Take a few minutes to reflect upon what we can learn from this event.
-- The presence of both the Mother of Jesus and Jesus at a wedding festivity shows family support and solidarity.
-- She is there to serve and honor the family, ensuring their faithfulness to their relatives and joy to the guests.
-- They care for their family's reputation and happiness.
-- The Mother of Jesus is there to serve and to go to her Son in whom she has full trust to provide what they need.
Painting by John Hoyte, Bellingham, WA www.johnhoyte.com
-- She doesn't tell Him what He has to do, she presents the situation leaving the final decision to Him, for He knows to do what is best.
-- What Jesus does exceeds in both quantity and quality of what is expected.
-- We are given an example of how we should nurture our family ties and care.
-- We are offered a lesson teaching us to have the Mother of Jesus as a model of service, care, trust and to challenge social and other restrictions allowing love to overcome.
-- We are given an example of prayers. Never dictate to God what to do for us, when, how much or how, but just present the situation and trust in His decision. He already knows our needs before we turn to Him.
-- Be sure that Jesus is present in our joy as well as in our sorrows, and in all our circumstances. He knows better what and when to provide us with the best that we need and beyond.
Thanks to His Presence, we can see His Glory and accompany Him with His Mother and disciples for real rest after the celebration. John 2:12 "After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days."
Let us keep hearing that voice of Jesus' Mother saying to us today, "Do whatever He tells you." May the presence of both Jesus and His Mother bless our family and its circumstances.