The Wedding at Cana

And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.

John 2:1-5

Jesus Christ, fully man and fully God, told his mother it wasn’t time for him to begin working miracles, yet. What does this tell us about Jesus? What does this tell us about Mary?

Well, first of all, Jesus was devoted to his mother. I picture this scene a little like a recent college graduate with a nascent skill. He is reticent to use it publicly. But his mom is all, “Nah, go ahead.” And she tells all the neighbors to ask the graduate for advice regarding his new degree. He doesn’t want to, but his mother said he would, so…he does. Jesus, perhaps out of respect for the newly-married couple, perhaps because he had a plan laid out, didn’t want to, but he did. Simply for his mother. And most Protestants are unwilling to ask Mary to pray for them…that’s just crazy, dawg.

Secondly, it tells us that Mary knew who her son was. Only if she knew he was divine would she ask Jesus to do something as miraculous as changing water into wine. Even Moses had to invoke God to change water into blood. But Mary had zero doubt that her son could perform this miracle. If only we had zero doubt that her son could perform a miracle. How much better would the world be?

Most Holy God, we boldly pray to you, knowing we are horrible sinners. Like the vessels’ water was replaced with wine, and like Christ replaces the wine at Mass with himself every day around the world, replace our blood with his Holy Blood through the Eucharist. Fill us up with Christ, encase us in the Holy Spirit, and guide us to have as much faith as Mary. We ask this, knowing you are the giver of all good things. Amen.