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

Last updated on: March 15, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Jesus’ reply to Mary at Cana, Mary: Day 238 2016-03-03T12:13:02-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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.

A Year with Mary

Paul Thigpen

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

Saint Benedict Press

Previous Post

March 14, 2016

A lesson from the wedding at Cana, Mary: Day 237

Next Post

March 16, 2016 “Blessed is the womb that bore you!”, Mary: Day 239

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz