“Listen to Your Mother”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
January 19 – 20, 2019
Scripture: John 2: 1-11
1) On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2) Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3) When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4) [And] Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” 5) His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6) Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. 7) Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. 8) Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter. So they took it. 9) And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom 10) and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11) Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs* in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding in Cana where He, Mary, and the apostles were among the guests. When Mary noticed that the wine was running low, she interceded by approaching Jesus and saying “They have no wine.” The proper translation of His response is; “Woman, what is thee to me?”
Now, this statement may sound as if Jesus was rebuking His mother, but, in His native language, He was not being disrespectful. Today, many mothers would respond to that statement with “You talking to me??” However, Mary, with perfect faith, told the servants to “Do whatever He tells you.” These are the last words of Mary recorded in the Bible, and is the greatest spiritual advice ever given.
In response to Mary’s intercession, Jesus performed His first miracle by turning six stone jars each containing 20-30 gallons of water into wine. That is more than 120 gallons of wine, and this wasn’t just any wine…it was the best that could be had. That is what happens when we ask for Mary’s intercession…Christ gives over and beyond what we ask for in our prayers, and He doesn’t ask if we deserve it.
People often ask me to remember them in my prayers, and I’m happy to do it. In fact, I take all of your prayers with me to the altar. The cross on the back of my chasuble (outer garment) symbolizes the yoke of Christ, and the cross on the front symbolizes yours. But, just think how much better it would be to have Mary intercede for you and take your prayers directly to Him. After all, she is His beloved mother and has direct communication with Him. When it comes to our own mothers, we aren’t so different. For example, I once knew a man back in Rhode Island who was my mother’s friend; however, he was not mine. But, when this man asked me for a favor, I was much more inclined to help him after my mother interceded on his behalf and encouraged me to do so.
Mary is the mother of us all. She knows our needs before we do and, although she doesn’t take them away, she makes our crosses sweeter and easier to bear. So, to grow spiritually, we need to become a child of Mary. No one has run so far from Christ or fallen so low that Mary is unwilling or unable to hear them. Remember…You cannot outrun God. He is an Olympic runner. He pursues us and will be waiting for us at the finish line. Always.
Our mothers give us the advice of our lives. Dr. Mom….we go to her when we are sick, sad, afraid, needy, and thankful. We ask for her help, and she gives us the advice of our lives…Say please, thank you, apologize, wash your hands, wear a coat, etc. If we are sick, we may need to make an appointment with our doctor. Either way, we must take the medication prescribed by the doctor even if it tastes bad and follow our mother’s advice even if we don’t like it. For example: Want to stop drinking? Stay away from bars and from people who drink in bars. Want to be more holy? Stay away from pornography and people who are unholy. Want to grow closer to God? Do whatever He tells you.
St. Bernard’s Memorare (Remembrance) Prayer:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother, to thee I come, before thee I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! Despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you take Mary’s advice and “Do whatever He tells you?” Will you ask her to intercede on your behalf by taking your prayers directly to God?