It is interesting how the first guest mentioned is Jesus’ mother, perhaps to underline her significant role in this account. We can also assume that Jesus’ mother is well acquainted with the hosts. The choice of St. John’s words indicates that she was at the wedding before Jesus and his disciples arrived. Her knowledge of the wine being finished and her directing the servants to obey Jesus
would not be commonplace among guests who are not closely tied or related to the hosts.
In his homily at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Braamfontein, on Sunday, Fr Russell Pollitt SJ paid close attention to Mary, mother of
Jesus. He pointed out that she was not named. We were asked to notice that Jesus was “a bit cheeky” with his mother when she told him there was no more wine, asking why it was his problem. Despite Jesus’ attitude, she directed the servants to do as Jesus said. He said, “Mary initiates the public ministry of Jesus because she takes the first step. She prompts him”.
Mary is present for the first miracle, the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
She stays with him throughout his life and ministry and is with him at his death. She is called a faithful disciple by the church. Mary witnessed the joys and hardships of Jesus. As a mother, this must have been difficult and sometimes uncomfortable. Perhaps she didn’t understand all that Jesus was about and what he was doing, yet she remained with him. “Mary sees the resurrection because she is faithful to the journey.” When we ask Mary to pray for us, she intercedes for us and can prompt Jesus
to work in our lives. When we are in a relationship with Jesus and allow ourselves to be transformed, “we too are led to resurrection, to new life.”
Take some time to reflect.
Do we sit back and wait for God to do something rather than taking the first step and initiating it ourselves? What steps can we take today?
Are we, like Mary, persevering and staying the
course of the journey with Jesus, even through difficult times? How can we be more faithful?
Reflections by Gillian Hugo
