Knowing Mary Through the Bible: New Wine, New Eve

CERC ^ | EDWARD P. SRI

[NYer]

Dr. Edward (Ted) Sri is assistant professor of theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, and a frequent contributor to Lay Witness. Edward Sri is the author of Mystery of the Kingdom, The New Rosary in Scripture: Biblical Insights for Praying the 20 Mysteries. His latest books is Queen Mother based on his doctorial dissertation and which is available by calling Benedictus Books toll-free at (888) 316-2640. CUF members receive a 10% discount.

[NYer]

For reflection and discussion.

[Pyro7480]

Here comes the usual suspects...

[Titanites]

Luke 1:48 For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

[CTK YKC]

Everytime I reflect on the wedding at Cana I can’t help but focus on Mary’s last words there (as well as her last word’s in the bible) “do whatever He tells you”. It is as though she knew this were the last words we would have from her and she wants us to follow them for eternity.

Do whatever He tells you... sounds easy enough.

[Greg F]

Good essay, I think he gets most of it right. But . . . he doesn’t solve the mystery in it for me. What did Christ mean when he said “my hour has not yet come” and yet he performed the miracle? I have some ideas but I want others opinions. I think that refusing his mother would have been sinful, so Christ did not refuse her, even though his hour had not yet come. I think that it means that God’s plan is not as rigid as some might think, that a request, a prayer can alter God’s plan. But . . . I don’t hold these opinions strongly. Interested in other views.

[Greg F]

Awesome!

[Tax-chick]

Do whatever He tells you... sounds easy enough.

Simple, but not easy. Love your enemies, deny yourself and take up your cross daily, sell all you have and give to the poor ... not easy.

[ArrogantBustard]

Do whatever He tells you... sounds easy enough.

Easy enough to remember ... not always easy to actually do.

[AnAmericanMother]

Nice interpretation of "woman". I like that.

It never bothered me, because in our Scottish tradition a Gaelic-speaking Highlander has always addressed his mother as "woman" -- "A bhean!"

[wmfights]

Here comes the usual suspects...

Why bother your minds are made up.

Let's just agree that Mary was a wonderful woman who was given a special mission, to give birth to our Saviour Jesus the Christ, and leave it at that. ;-)

[Titanites]

Why bother your minds are made up.

Yours isn't?

[ArrogantBustard]

I’ve always suspected that “woman” in these cases was badly translated; that “Ma’am” or “Milady” would better convey the connotation of what Our Lord was saying.

[wmfights]

Yours isn't?

Fair enough. Our minds are made up. ;-0

[AnAmericanMother]

Well, there isn't an honorific in Gaelic for "ma'am" or "mrs." -- maybe it's the same case in Aramaic, I don't know.

NYer, have you ever asked your pastor about this one?

[r9etb]

At risk of lightning, I offer the following....

Jesus and Mary: New wine, new skin.

Sarah, Rebeccah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth .... all old bags.

It only makes sense.... ;-)

[FourtySeven]

It was a good essay yes; I hope someone has some insights into your question, I’d like to hear a good analysis too.

[ArrogantBustard]

[ArrogantBustard]

It really raises the question of what any prayer is about. God knows all things eternally ... including what you are going to pray for and that you are going to pray for it. So, is prayer about "changing God's mind" or is it about us growing in our relationship with God?

[GoLightly]

So, is prayer about "changing God's mind" or is it about us growing in our relationship with God?

Or, is it something that helps to transform our natures, lifting our blindness, so we're better able to see God's work within us?