John 2:1-11 (NRSV)
‘On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 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 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.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.’
Too often in our Protestant traditions we tend to ignore, disregard or even dismiss the ministry of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the first one to receive the Gospel. The Gospel for this Sunday recalls the story of the Wedding in Cana and from it we can learn some valuable lessons that Mary teaches to us.
First is that we can bring anything to Jesus. No matter how trivial, how simple or how complicated the matter is the bottom line is that we can bring any of our challenges to Jesus with the confidence is that in Him we find a High Priest that understands our needs and can identify with our struggles. What is on your mind? What is consuming you? What is the biggest challenge that you are facing? Rest assure that you can bring them to Jesus, not only He will listen, He will also act!
The second lesson I learn from Mary is what she stated to the servants of the house: “Do whatever he tells you.” You see, once we come to Jesus and bring to Him our challenges then is up to us to follow His advise or not but it is only when we do what he says that we find true joy and victory. And keep in mind that I said joy and not happiness because happiness depends on whatever happens and joy is the fruit of the Spirit of God in our lives. And victory, victory does not depend on how much we accomplish and how much we have but rather on how faithful we are to His commands.
The final objective of Mary was accomplished, Christ was revealed and glorify! What is the objective of what you do? Is it to revealed and glorify Christ? Because is that is not our main objective we just simply are wasting our time. As we watch in news the tragedy of Haiti unfolding before our eyes the question is not only if we are going to bring this matter to Jesus but if we are going to do whatever He ask us to do?
To bring care, concern and help to that poor Country is not the responsibility of the government, is our responsibility because after all what Paul says in 1st Corinthians 12:1-11 is what matters here, that God, in His wisdom, empowered the Church with a variety of gifts for the “common good.”
Many will say: “What would Jesus do?” Mary’s answer is :”Do whatever he tells you.” The answer is clear, what is not clear is your decision to act or not to make Him known and to glorify Him. Mary knew the answer to the predicaments around her, if you do, go and tell others: “Do whatever he tells you.”
Your servant,
+Jesus-Manuel
