Jesus’ reply to Mary at Cana, Mary: Day 238

Jesus’ reply to Mary at Cana

When Jesus replied to Mary’s comment about the wine running out at the wedding feast, was he at first refusing her request? Not at all, says St. Alphon-sus. He explains.

From the time that Mary came into the world, her only thought, after seeking the glory of God, was to help those in need. And even then she enjoyed the privilege of obtaining whatever she asked. This we know from what occurred at the marriage feast of Cana in Galilee. When the wine failed, the most Blessed Virgin was moved to compassion at the sight of the affliction and shame of the bride and bridegroom. So she asked her Son to relieve it by a miracle, telling him: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). Jesus answered: “Woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4). Note here that our Lord seemed to refuse his mother the favor she asked. He seemed to be saying, This is not the time for me to work a miracle; the time will be when I begin to preach, and when miracles will be required to confirm my doctrines. And yet Mary, as if the favor had already been granted, asked those in attendance to fill the jars with water, for they would be immediately satisfied. And so it was. For Jesus, to satisfy his mother, changed the water into the best wine.

But how could this be? Since the time for working miracles was that of the public life of our Lord, how could it be that, contrary to the divine decrees, this miracle was worked? Actually, in this there was nothing contrary to the decrees of God. For even though, generally speaking, the time for miracles had not come, yet from all eternity God had determined by another decree that nothing that she asked should ever be refused to the Mother of God. St. Thomas Aqui- nas says that by the words, “My hour has not yet come,” Jesus Christ intended to show that, had the request come from anyone else, he would not then have com- plied with it. But because it came to him from his mother, he could not refuse it.
—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Are there times in my life when Jesus seems to be refusing my request for his help? In those times, how might I act in faith, as Mary did, as if the favor has already been granted?

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, help me not to have anxiety about anything. Instead, by prayer and supplica- tion with thanksgiving, I will make my requests known to you. I will trust that your peace, which passes all understanding, will keep my heart and mind (see Phil 4:6–7).

_________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.