Posted on 01/17/2016 6:42:01 AM PST by Salvation
In the gospel today of the wedding feast at Cana, there is a theological portrait of both Mother Mary and of prayer. Let's look at the Gospel along five lines:
I. The place that Mary has - The text says, There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
A fascinating thing about these opening verses is that Mary almost seems to dominate the scene; the presence of Jesus is mentioned secondarily. St. Thomas Aquinas notes that at Cana, Mary acts as the "go-between" in arranging a mystical marriage (Commentary on John, 98; and 2, 1, n.336, 338, and 343, 151-152). Once the marriage is arranged she steps back; her final words to us are, "Do whatever he tells you."
How many of us has Mary helped to find her Son and to find our place at the wedding feast of the Lamb? I know that it was Mary who drew me back to her Son when I had strayed.
II. The prayer that Mary makes - The text says, When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."
Notice another central role that Mary has: intercessor. She is praying for others to her Son. There are three qualities to her prayer:
Discernment -- She notices the problem, probably even before the groom and bride do. Indeed, mothers often notice the needs of their children before they do. But why didn't Jesus notice? Perhaps He did; surely, as God, He knew. But He waits for us to ask. Yes, God waits for us; He expects us to ask. In part this is respect; not all of us are ready to receive all of His gifts. This expectation that we ask is also rooted in God's teaching that we must learn to depend on Him and to take our many needs to Him. The Book of James says, You have not because You ask not (James 4:2).
Diligence -- Simply put, Mary actually prays. Rather than merely fret and be anxious, she goes directly to her Son out of love for the couple (us) and trust in her Son. She sees the need and gets right to the work of praying, of beseeching her Son.
Deference -- She does not tell Jesus what to do, says simply notes the need: "They have no wine." Mary is not directive, as if to say, "Here is my solution for this problem. Follow my plans exactly. Just sign here at the bottom of my plan for action." Rather, she simply observes the problem and places it before her Son in confidence. He knows what to do and will decide the best way to handle things.
In this way Mary models prayer for us. What wine are you lacking now? What wine do your children and grandchildren lack? Do you notice your needs and the needs of others and consistently pray? Or must things get critical for you to notice or pray? And when you pray do you go to the Lord with trust or with your own agenda?
So the Scriptures teach that Mary is the quintessential woman of prayer, a paragon of prayer. Not only does she intercede for us, she teaches us how to pray.
III. The portrait of Mary - The text says, Woman, how does this concern of yours affect me? My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Notice three things about this brief dialogue:
The title of Mary -- Jesus calls her "woman." In Jewish culture this was a respectful way for a man to address a woman, but it was unheard of for a son to address his mother that way.
Hence this text stands out as unusual and signals that Jesus is speaking at a deeper level. In the Johannine texts Jesus always calls his Mother, "Woman." This is in fulfillment of Genesis 3:15, which says, I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall crush your head, while you strike at his heel. And thus Jesus is saying that Mary is this woman who was prophesied.
Far from being disrespectful to Mary, Jesus is actually exalting her by saying that she is the woman who was prophesied; she is the woman from whose "seed" comes forth the Son destined to destroy the power of Satan.
In this sense Mary is also the new Eve. For Jesus also calls her "Woman" at the foot of the Cross; He is the new Adam, Mary is the new Eve, and the tree is the Cross. And thus, just as humans got into trouble by a man, a woman, and a tree, so now we get out of trouble through the same path. Adam's no is reversed by Jesus, who saves us by his yes. Eve's no is reversed by Mary's yes.
The tenacity of Mary - In Greek, Jesus' words to his mother are, τί á¼Î¼Î¿á½¶ καὶ σοί, γÏναι - ti emoi kai soi, gunai (What to me and to thee, Woman?). When this phrase appears elsewhere in the Scriptures (e.g., Gen 23:15; 1 Kings 19:20) it usually indicates some kind of tension between the interlocutors. On the surface, it would seem that Jesus is expressing resistance to the fact that His mother striving to involve Him in this matter. What makes this interpretation odd, though, is that Mary doesn't seem to interpret Jesus' response as resistance.
Perhaps there was something in the tone of voice that Jesus used, or perhaps there was a look between them that resolved the tension, and evoked Jesus' sympathy for the situation. Whatever the case, Mary stays in the conversation with Jesus and overcomes whatever tension or resistance existed. In this we surely see her tenacity.
This tenacity comports well with the tenacity she showed at other times. Though startled by the presence of the angel Gabriel, she engaged him in a respectful but pointed conversation in which she sought greater detail. Mary also hastened to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and in the dialogue that followed she proclaimed a Magnificat that was anything but a shy and retiring prayer. She joyfully acknowledged the Lord's power in her life, and all but proclaimed a revolutionary new world order.
To be tenacious means to hold fast in spite of obstacles or discouragements. However we interpret Jesus' initial resistance to Mary's concern, it is clear that Mother Mary does not give up; she expects the Lord to answer her favorably. This is made clear by her confident departure from the conversation, when she turns to the stewards with the instruction, "Do whatever he tells you."
The trust of Mary - She simply departs, telling the stewards, "Do whatever he tells you." She does not hover. She does not come back and check on the progress of things. She does not seek to control or manipulate the outcome. She simply departs and leaves it all to Jesus.
IV. The power of Mary's prayer - Whatever his initial concerns regarding Mary's request, Jesus goes to work. 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."
If we do the math, we may confidently presume that Jesus produced almost 150 gallons of the best wine. Mary's prayer and tenacity produced abundant results.
Sometimes the Lord tells us to wait so that He can grant further abundance. Scripture says, But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
The Catholic tradition of turning to Mary and regarding her as a special intercessor with particular power is rooted in this passage. But Mary is not merely an intercessor for us; she is also a model for us. Following her example, we should persevere in prayer and go to the Lord with confident expectation of His abundant response. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
V. The product of Mary's prayer - The text says, 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.
At the conclusion of this gospel is the significant result that many began to believe in the Lord on account of this miracle. This is Mary's essential role with reference to Jesus, that she should lead many souls to a deeper union with her Son. And having done so, she leaves us with this instruction, "Do whatever he tells you."
Mary's role is to hold up Christ for us to see, as she did at Bethlehem for the shepherds (and later the Wise Men) and as she did for Simeon and Anna at the Temple. Her role is to point to His glory as she does here at Cana. And ultimately her role is to hold His body in her arms at the foot of the cross after He is taken down.
As a mother, Mary has a special role in the beginnings of our faith, in the infancy and childhood of our faith. The text says that many "began to believe." In Greek grammar, this phrase is an example of an inceptive aorist, often used to stress the beginning of an action or the entrance into a state. Thus Mary has a special role in helping to initiate our faith, in helping (by God's grace) to birth Christ in us. As St. Thomas Aquinas say, she is the "go-between," the great matchmaker in the mystical marriage of Christ and the soul. Having done that her final words are, "Do whatever he tells you." And while she may draw back a bit, she continues to pray for us.
Here, then, are some biblical basics about Mother Mary, from this gospel of the wedding feast at Cana.
That way, I KNOW I can't be wrong.
The Holy Spirit is clear in Scripture in calling Mary *the mother of Jesus*.
John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
John 2:3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."
Acts 1:14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
I don't know. I don't speak for all Protestants.
First off, you have to know for sure that the person the church has labeled a saint is actually IN heaven.
Then you need to know that they can hear and answer prayer, and there's not a single verse of Scripture that indicates that that is possible.
Then one ought to consider what an affront to God and Jesus it is to not trust them enough to pray to the Father as Jesus commanded.
For Catholics to constantly harp on *Do whatever He tells you*, they sure are pretty good at NOT doing what Jesus tells them.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray and that meant going straight to the Father as He instructed and believing, trusting, having actual faith in the promises that the Word made flesh made to us that the Father would hear and answer our prayer Himself.
Additionally, does anyone seriously think that a saint or Mary are going to answer prayers or get answers for us that God won't give us Himself after He PROMISED to hear and answer our prayers?
So what would possess anyone to go to someone, anyone, less than the Father Himself to ask Him for something?
If Catholics don't think the Father would give it to them if they asked, why would they ever think that He would give it to them if someone else asked?
It'd be like you asking the neighbor kid for your dad to give you something because you don't think your dad would give it to you himself, but is more likely to give it to you if your friend asked rather than the son.
Especially considering that they teach that God cannot refuse Mary anything so they think if they pray to her, they'll be able to have her get it for them. That means they think that Mary is more compassionate and cares more for us that God does.
What a low view of God Catholics have.
“What a low view of God Catholics have. “
That is a denigrating statement and you should report yourself to the Religion Moderator.
That would called necromancy. It is forbidden. It is evil. The only ones who respond, are demons.
So you dispute that the statements are believed by Catholics, and perpetrated by Catholicism?
Don’t those statements show a “low view of God?”
Looks like metmom posted a fact considering the evidence shows what she concluded. An opinion, BTW.
You are welcome to debate any issue you don’t agree with here.
Maybe so... but it doesn't change the fact the the RCC practices idolatry in the form of Mary worship.
Hoss
You have been here long enough to know that CATHOLICS DO NOT WORSHIP MARY.
Unlike some here who worship a book.
:-)
From your lips to God’s ear.
I’m ready any time He is.
You will never see a Christian do that to a Bible.
Yet there are millions of these statues out there to show how to treat the Catholic Mary.
Idolatry
I've been here long enough to read that RCCs pray to Mary; seek her intercession -- and are taught that she has authority granted to her THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE.
Please, if you will, explain why CCC 969 contradicts God's inerrant, inspired word in 1 Timothy 2:5-6 -- God's Word says:
" 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."
While CCC 969 says:
"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 . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix."
Hmmm. God says one mediator -- Jesus. Roman Catholic Cult says Mary is a "Mediatrix" who provides grace and salvation.
But wait... God says in Acts 4:10-12:
"10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Wow. God says there is salvation in no one else -- no other name under heaven by which we must be saved except-JESUS.
Where in Scripture does God say anything about Mary providing salvation? Intercession?
As for that idiotic canard of "worshipping a book" -- really. I don't get down on my knees or genuflect to it like RCCs do to statues of Mary or boxes of crackers.
Nice try, but no cigar.
Hoss
Not only do too many catholics worship Mary, they even worship at altars dedicated to Mary worship, complete with statues of what the Vatican approves as an image for her. If you are ever in Rome go watch what devout catholics do when they reach the Pieta (sp?), the statue of Mary with the crucified Christ on her lap. And she is proportionally much larger than Christ ... Yeah, Catholics worship Mary and are taught that she is a mediator between man and Jesus.
Okay, you’ve shown the answer to the query. I may just post the Bible Study, anyway, and you can then ignore that, too.
Praying for someone is a form of mediation, which is what we ask Mary to do for us. Are you saying that no one should pray for anyone else?
Love,
O2
“That would called necromancy. It is forbidden. It is evil. The only ones who respond, are demons.”
Really, is this a unifying protestant belief? Are there no protestants who believe that saints in heaven can hear our prayers? How do you ever find lost things? ;-)
Love,
O2
That is a denigrating statement and you should report yourself to the Religion Moderator
Unless you can back it up with a post that shows it is true.
Christians do not worship a book.
Rember Jesus is the Word made Flesh, he is worthy to be worshiped.
I ask God to show me where they are.
And He does.
OTOH, Catholics freely admit they worship the eucharist. They admit they worship a white wheat wafer.
You don’t know if some Protestants believe in praying to saints in heaven? Yet you condemn the practice as a Catholic affront to God? If Protestants believe this too, where does that leave your argument?
Where do you believe people who are saved go when they die? I thought that was the point of being saved, to be sure you would go to heaven when you die.
If anyone had bothered to read the article, you would see that Catholics take the wedding at Cana story as an example of a way to ask Jesus for help. Because that is exactly what it portrays. Mary alerted Jesus to a problem (which He already knew about, of course) and He solved it. Would He have done it otherwise, would the wine steward or whoever have approached Jesus personally?We don’t know. What we have is a story of Mary interceding with Jesus on behalf of someone else, and that person received the benefit of a miracle from Jesus. Of course we go directly to Jesus, but sometimes we also go through Mary and the saints, just as in this scripture clearly shows.
Just as Jesus gave the disciples power to heal and perform miracles in His name, we believe the saints in heaven have been given this power, too. There is nothing in scripture that says this is not possible and it in no way diminishes God’s power.
Heaven is the condition of being united to God as part of the Body of Christ. Why would being given a part of God’s power when you are part of God be so hard to believe?
Love,
O2
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