John 2:1-11
Jesus must have loved parties. He certainly approved of weddings. Obviously lots of guests showed up, perhaps some that had not been invited or the Groom and Bride did not foresee that the wine was not going to be enough. The Gospel starts with a problem: The wine ran short.
Imagine going to a wedding reception where there is no wine. What a dull party that would be! Not that we are supposed to abuse, because getting drunk is considered to be a sin. But a glass or two can be enjoyed. We can only imagine the tension when the Blessed Mother approached Jesus with the problem. Someone must have asked Mary to intercede. Or the Blessed Mother saw the worried look on the waiter’s faces. Mary speaks very few times in the Gospels—this is one of those times. In one sentence She sets the pace for all eternity concerning her role in the plan of salvation. “Do whatever He tells you.” She knew that Jesus would not refuse Her. That’s the reason we pray to her, ask for her intercession—because we know that Jesus will not refuse Her. However, with each “Hail Mary” that we say, She keeps reminding us, “Do whatever He tells you.” The Blessed Mother is not greater than Jesus, but She is His Mother—no one can change that. She is the Mother of Jesus, Jesus is God, therefore She is the Mother of God. The highest honor ever bestowed upon a human being. Mary can never be greater than God, more merciful than God, more loving, but She has a special relationship that no one else has or will ever have—She is God’s Mama. And those of us who have a mama know the power of a Mother’s request. First of the Signs— and Mary was right at the center with Her Son.
Providential that the first Sign took place at a wedding. What family does not need help from the Lord? What family does not need a miracle now and then? Every family has problems—some are big, some are small; but no family is without its share of problems. The couple from Cana ran out of wine. That’s sort of symbolic for running out of “ganas”. In countless homes the “ganas”, the enthusiasm runs out during the first few years. Getting use to each other, adjusting to the in laws, having to share decision-making takes effort. If and when children come, they also present challenges. Children can become the focus of attention and spouses can forget that they come first. Children one day leave the home and then two strangers are left who have nothing to talk about.
The wine can run short in every home unless Jesus Christ is at the center of the family. We have to “Fill the jars with water.” Water is a common, ordinary, every day element. Water is at our disposal—readily available. Jesus asks us to use what we have at our disposal—our time—our creativity—our resources in order to make a miracle. In other words, we have to do our part. Each spouse has to make an effort to make a marriage work. If we are running out of wine—do something. Pray together—ask the Lord to help. Each family also has to cooperate with God’s grace—fill the jars with water. We can’t just sit back and wait for the grass to grow. Indifference is one of the greatest enemies of the family. The parents are the leaders—but every member has to care. United families are strong. They get attacked, but they conquer in the Name of the Lord. When Jesus is our Rock, nothing can destroy us. Families are the number one target of the devil. Bombarded from all sides with temptations, obsticles. Jesus is right in the middle of our troubles, with Mary beside Him. We don’t need to look for solutions anywhere else. We must, “Do whatever He tells us.” He tells us to forgive each other. To love without conditions. To anticipate each other’s needs.
That’s the recipe for a Godly family. The Lord always takes the initiative. He comes to our parties and He comes when we cry. Jesus is always with us.
Jesus must have loved parties. He certainly approved of weddings. Obviously lots of guests showed up, perhaps some that had not been invited or the Groom and Bride did not foresee that the wine was not going to be enough. The Gospel starts with a problem: The wine ran short.
Imagine going to a wedding reception where there is no wine. What a dull party that would be! Not that we are supposed to abuse, because getting drunk is considered to be a sin. But a glass or two can be enjoyed. We can only imagine the tension when the Blessed Mother approached Jesus with the problem. Someone must have asked Mary to intercede. Or the Blessed Mother saw the worried look on the waiter’s faces. Mary speaks very few times in the Gospels—this is one of those times. In one sentence She sets the pace for all eternity concerning her role in the plan of salvation. “Do whatever He tells you.” She knew that Jesus would not refuse Her. That’s the reason we pray to her, ask for her intercession—because we know that Jesus will not refuse Her. However, with each “Hail Mary” that we say, She keeps reminding us, “Do whatever He tells you.” The Blessed Mother is not greater than Jesus, but She is His Mother—no one can change that. She is the Mother of Jesus, Jesus is God, therefore She is the Mother of God. The highest honor ever bestowed upon a human being. Mary can never be greater than God, more merciful than God, more loving, but She has a special relationship that no one else has or will ever have—She is God’s Mama. And those of us who have a mama know the power of a Mother’s request. First of the Signs— and Mary was right at the center with Her Son.
Providential that the first Sign took place at a wedding. What family does not need help from the Lord? What family does not need a miracle now and then? Every family has problems—some are big, some are small; but no family is without its share of problems. The couple from Cana ran out of wine. That’s sort of symbolic for running out of “ganas”. In countless homes the “ganas”, the enthusiasm runs out during the first few years. Getting use to each other, adjusting to the in laws, having to share decision-making takes effort. If and when children come, they also present challenges. Children can become the focus of attention and spouses can forget that they come first. Children one day leave the home and then two strangers are left who have nothing to talk about.
The wine can run short in every home unless Jesus Christ is at the center of the family. We have to “Fill the jars with water.” Water is a common, ordinary, every day element. Water is at our disposal—readily available. Jesus asks us to use what we have at our disposal—our time—our creativity—our resources in order to make a miracle. In other words, we have to do our part. Each spouse has to make an effort to make a marriage work. If we are running out of wine—do something. Pray together—ask the Lord to help. Each family also has to cooperate with God’s grace—fill the jars with water. We can’t just sit back and wait for the grass to grow. Indifference is one of the greatest enemies of the family. The parents are the leaders—but every member has to care. United families are strong. They get attacked, but they conquer in the Name of the Lord. When Jesus is our Rock, nothing can destroy us. Families are the number one target of the devil. Bombarded from all sides with temptations, obsticles. Jesus is right in the middle of our troubles, with Mary beside Him. We don’t need to look for solutions anywhere else. We must, “Do whatever He tells us.” He tells us to forgive each other. To love without conditions. To anticipate each other’s needs.
That’s the recipe for a Godly family. The Lord always takes the initiative. He comes to our parties and He comes when we cry. Jesus is always with us.
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