The Wedding at Cana: Does Jesus Rebuke His Mother?

adw.org ^ | Msgr. Charles Pope

[GonzoII]

Jesus and his mother Mary were at a wedding feast at Cana (as recorded in John 2). There is what seems to us a tense interaction between them. Mary observes that they have no more wine. And Jesus says to her, Woman, how does this concern of yours affect me? My hour has not yet come. (Jn 2:4).

To modern English ears this response of Jesus seems terse and off-putting. Is Jesus annoyed by his mother’s request? A little study of culture reveals that his repsonse ot his mother is not disrespectful but is in fact a sign of respect and readiness to comply with her request. In order to understand this we need to look at the cultural context of Jesus’ remark.

[Salvation]

Sunday Scripture Study

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

January 17, 2010

Opening Prayer  

First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm: 96:1-3, 7-10

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Gospel Reading: John 2:1-11

• In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus, his Mother and some of his disciples are invited to a wedding in Cana, a small village 4-5 miles from Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. Wedding feasts at the time could last more than a week (Judges 14:10-12). The time is right after his baptism (which we celebrated last week), but before he begins his public ministry.

• (Note: in the West, we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany and the visit of the Magi 2 weeks ago and the Baptism of the Lord last week. In the Eastern Church, Epiphany often includes those two events, as well as today’s Gospel reading, the Wedding at Cana. All three events are seen as being an epiphany—or “unveiling”—of Jesus to the world. The appearance of Jesus in Galilee also marks the beginning of God’s promise to restore and bring glory to his people, Israel—see the First Reading.)

• Mary (who is never mentioned by name in John’s Gospel) brings it to Jesus’ attention that the wine has run out—a situation that would be an immense source of embarrassment for the newlywed couple and their families.

• Even though Mary does not specifically make a request for Jesus to intervene, he knows what she is asking. He also knows that performing this miracle in public will make it necessary to begin his ministry and his journey toward the Cross

QUESTIONS:

• Jesus is not yet known as a miracle worker, so why does Mary approach him (verse 3)? What do you learn about Jesus’ relationship with his Mother from this story?

• How does Jesus’ use of the word “woman” (v. 3) point to a parallel between Eve and Mary (Genesis 3:15; John 19:26-27; Revelation 12:1-6, 13-14)? Should it be seen as a sign of disrespect—or a sign of honor and election?

• What associations might be attached to the headwaiters expression “the good wine” in verse 10 (Isaiah 25:6; Amos 9:13; John 6:53; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Revelation 19:7-9)?

• This “sign” (verse 11) is the first of seven that will be highlighted in John’s Gospel (see Introduction to John in the NAB). What “sign” led you (or is leading you) to put your faith in Jesus?

• How unconditionally do you do whatever Jesus tells you to do (verse 5)? Do you ever try to place limits on what he can tell you to do? What spiritual gifts has he given to you and to those around you to help carry out his will (see Second Reading)?

 

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 486, 495, 969, 1335, 1613, 2618

When our hands have touched spices, they give fragrance to all they handle. Let us make our prayers pass through the hands of the Blessed Virgin. She will make them fragrant.   

-St. John Vianney

[annalex]

a Hebrew expression...

מה־לי ולך

ma-li ulakh, -- what-to-me and-to-you

... of either hostility

Let's see.

Judges 11:12.

Jephte, the bastard mercenary, attempts diplomacy before fighting the Ammonites. Remember, Jephte is one who has no direct stake in the fight, he is there to gain legitimacy. So he tries a deal first: "what is it to you and to me that we fight at all?". As we know, there was no deal, Jephte pledges his daughter, wins the war and the daughter is sacrificed. Ther is a good reason for young Jesus to remember this story of a innocent dying for her nation. Pssibly, that was on His mind indeed when His Blessed Mother unwittingly set Him on the road to His sublime sacrifice. But there is no hostility to the King of Ammon in Jepthe's words, quite the opposite; it is a desire not to enter into a war.

2 Chron 35:21

Josias just finished celebrating a holocaust sacrifice as Nechao king of Egypt requests passage through his land to fight someone else. Nechao is trying diplomacy pointing out that the is hostility is against another house: "what is it to you and to me?". But the pleas for understanding is lost on Josias, who unnecessarily fights against Nechao and dies in battle. Once again, a theme of a feast and sacrifice intertwines with the theme of avoiding a war. Another Bible episode Jesus might have had on His mind at Cana. But again, "what is it to you and to me" are not words of hostility, but rather of wistful hesitation before a drama unfolds.

Lastly, 1 Kings 17:18.

A poor widow does not spare her pot to feed Elijah, who then blesses her with an ever-filling pot. Yet, later her son dies and the grieving widow accuses Elijah, who, she now supposes, comes to accuse her of her sin. "What is it to me and to thee, man of God?" Grief is palpable there, but no, there is no hostility. Elijah restores the son to life (never hesitate to ask a saint to make you whole, is the moral). We see how this episode might have weighed heavily on Jesus' mind and inspired His choice of words. But no hostility to His Holy Mother is there and obviously no hint of a rebuke.

Whoever put this "Catholic" NAB with its wretched commentary together badly needs our prayers.

[SunkenCiv]