[Salvation]

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: "Do whatever he tells you."

"They have no more wine." 

Sunday readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011716.cfm

I recall back when I celebrated my first Mass at the home parish where I grew up back in Chicago, which was actually not my “First,” first Mass, about a week after my ordination my parents wondered about the reception afterwards.  Many family and friends had been invited and we knew what to do for the Mass but how would you celebrate this event afterwards?  “We’ve never done this before,” I remember my mother saying.

So, I told my parents to do what you would for a wedding reception.  We laughed a bit but decided, why not?  The Church is the bride and I’m the groom! 

So, sure enough we had live music for dancing, a nice sit down dinner, a head table, an opportunity for many to receive my first blessing as all newly ordained and plenty of time for folks to just enjoy and celebrate.  And of course an open bar.  Thankfully, everyone behaved themselves and the evening went very well leaving many good memories.   Since there was no “Bride” as such I danced with my Mother.  Yet, what Groom has not danced with his Mother at his wedding reception? 

We mark such significant events in our lives with celebration.  The same was certainly true for Jesus and his disciples who attended what must have been a likewise joyful event at the wedding in Cana.  John makes the point that “the mother of Jesus was there.” (aka. Mary).  We’re not sure where Joseph was of course and some might speculate that he was already deceased.  So, it was likely some relation to Mary and her family perhaps but either way the scene is one of joyful celebration with a couple joined in a holy bond as I have always imagined that I am as priest. 

The story of this wedding at Cana is an opportunity for John as the Gospel writer to not just relay the message that Jesus enjoyed a good party.  While I imagine he did like any of us, this story is best understood by looking at the end of this passage where we read: “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.”

Like the sign of the Magi and the baptism in the Jordan this event more fully points to the truth of who Jesus is and what can happen when he gets involved.  He “revealed his glory” (he revealed his divinity) and those who witnessed this event, particularly his first followers, were moved to put faith in him. So, it is an indicator, a “sign” to notice and take note of.  We too are called to faith in Christ Jesus and if we pay attention the signs are many. Read the second reading from this Sunday's Mass for example about the Corinthian Church.  

The image of nuptials is significant as well. Why a wedding?  Why not a Passover meal?  Both are celebrations albeit different in their focus. Yet, the marriage image is especially personal.  It reminds us of the permanent bond created between man and woman when they step forward in faith and trust, with full knowledge to give themselves to each other, “until death do we part.”  While we certainly know the fragile state of marriage today, we also need to know of God’s intent. The image of a wedding is a well-known image in the Scriptures especially in the Old Testament. God weds himself to Israel.  

This nuptial image of the covenant of marriage is used by Isaiah this Sunday in our first reading as he speaks with words that are clearly matrimonial:  “espoused,” “his spouse,” “his builder shall marry you,” “bride and bridegroom.”  The relationship between Israel and God is like a marriage is meant to be – a permanent covenant of fidelity and trust. God, the groom, provides and protects, sustains and gives life, offers life and fidelity, forgiveness and healing.  No matter where the bride goes, this groom remains faithful and always longs for her return.  

At the wedding of Cana, Mary becomes like the new Israel who recognizes that something is yet missing – “they have no more wine.”  While her role here is of note, the story centers on Jesus. Like a good Jewish mother, she turns to her son, knowing that he can indeed do something –“Do whatever he tells you.” It is a reminder to us of our response to God.

And so Jesus does, although his response to his mother is culturally interesting left for a longer discussion, yet he indeed brings about a new change – a new richness as water is changed to become the finest wine and much of it by the way! It begs the question as to what can he do with our lives if we place our trust in him? What is possible in the Church and the larger human community for those who live by his covenant?

Jesus intervenes at this first stage of his public ministry, when there will be an abundance of new change, an invitation to deepen the bond between ourselves and God through Christ and a new relationship is established, a new marriage begins that will be more rich and full from before.  This sign we must recognize as we do the sacramental signs of God reaching out to us in love and mercy.  It is indeed a marriage made in heaven.

Where can we see this richness then?  Paul’s letter to the Corinthians today speaks of the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit he saw displayed in the community of the Corinthian Church: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, tongues and interpretation, discernment of spirits, prophecy.  All come from the same Spirit of God for the common good of the Christian community. 

Don’t we see the same today in the fullness of ministries of service in our parishes and beyond?  The same Spirit is always at work among us.  That same Spirit constantly is turning water into wine that all may come to know the Lord more deeply and live in fidelity and truth. 

Every time we gather for the Eucharist, we mark that covenant made between God and humanity.  We hear in the words of institution over the bread and wine: “The Blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin.”

This groom has lived and died and rose for his bride.  We are children of that marriage born in water and spirit.  And for this we must indeed celebrate. 

Pour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love,

and in your kindness

make those you have nourished

by this one heavenly Bread

one in mind and heart.

Through Christ our Lord.

(Prayer after Communion for Sunday)

[Salvation]

Regngum Christi

“Do Whatever He Tells You” - A good Mother

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

January 17, 2016 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Father Robert DeCesare, LC

 

John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." (And) Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. 

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that before you left this earth you gave me the Eucharist for my food and Mary for my mother. I believe in your Real Presence and choose to receive you reverently and often. I trust that Mary will be there for me and accompany me in whatever I need. I love you, Lord, for giving me a mother who is so concerned about me that she is willing to do whatever is necessary to help me in my mission and vocation.

Petition: Help me, Lord, to foster a tender and personal devotion to your Mother.

1. “They Have No Wine”: A good mother is always on the watch to make sure that all is well, and Mary is no exception. Before anyone can react, she recognizes that the newlyweds are out of wine. They are talking among themselves, and they are in a panic. She can’t do anything about it but she knows someone who can, so she acts. She believes in the power of her son. Since he is the Son of God, he can solve the problem. Mary does not let the fact that she is a guest keep her from working. She acts on faith. She does not wait for someone to tell her to do something. She intervenes. We need to believe like Mary and be willing to take that bold step into the unknown, confident in a God we do not see.
   

2. “My Hour Has Not Yet Come”: Christ knows his mission. He is called to go to the cross and suffer for our sins. Yet he has not begun his public life. To perform a miracle now would be to anticipate his hour – to accelerate his mission to suffer for our sins. The time for him to accept the cross has not yet come. But Mary knows that something must be done. If she does not intercede, it could be a “disaster.” At the time of Our Lord, wedding feasts lasted for a week. What would become of the wedding feast if there was no more wine? Mary knows this. She hears the newlyweds’ cries and worries, and she brings them to her son, knowing that he can do something. She is certain that he will calm the fears of the newlyweds and remedy the situation. Do we have a deep conviction that Mary watches over us and constantly intercedes with Our Lord for our sake?
   

3. A Son Will Never Say No to His Mother: “This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix. This, however, is so understood that it neither takes away anything from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one Mediator” (Lumen Gentium, 62). Mary understood her mission and vocation. She intercedes for us constantly, is willing to help us, and wants to bring our petitions to her Son so that he can help us with whatever we need of him. Do I have a filial relationship with Mary, my Mother, and do I turn to her confidently with my concerns and needs?
   

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I trust that you will give me the grace to imitate Mary. You are willing and ready to help me. You want the best for me, and you desire very much to assist me. Help me to learn from Mary’s example of acting in faith so that I, too, may be a person of faith like her. Help me to turn to her often so that she can bring me closer to you.

Resolution: I will make a special visit our Blessed Mother asking for greater faith and confiding myself and loved ones to her tender care.