Doing what mama says
John 2:1-12 (NRSV)
2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.
Doing what mama says
The wedding at Cana is such an interesting story. At first glance it seems that Jesus did not want to do anything to help the couple in need. His mother kind of tricked him into helping out the couple, or rather, she kind of backed him into a corner by publicly putting him on the spot.
This is such a strange relationship. It is easy to forget Jesus’ humanity. He had a mother who was just as much in charge of making him who he was our mothers are instrumental in making us who we are. It is fun to see how he handled that relationship. He argued with her, but then when the time came to it, he did exactly what she wanted him to do. This is a case of honoring one’s father and one’s mother.
Obviously it is easier said than done, but we are all supposed to be behaving in the way that Jesus does. We need to learn how to honor our parents. He listened to Mary and was hospitable and kind, even when he did not want to be, and when he really had no reason to help. This is the kind of thing that we are supposed to be doing with people each and every day, but the truth of the matter is that we fail to do that on a regular basis.
God, forgive our weakness and selfishness. Help us to listen to our moms, even when we do not want to. Strengthen us and allow us to become more and more the people whom you have called us to be. Remind us, also, of how overwhelmingly good your love and grace actually is.
You poured out on the couple a better gift than they would have ever come up with on their own. They would never have thought to ask you for that kind of goodness but you offered it to them in a completely over the top way. It is a gift to know that you are doing such incredible things each and every day.
Thank you, God, for using us to bring your kingdom into existence. Thank you for letting us be a part of the work that you are doing in the world. Thank you for your overwhelming and incredible grace. Please make us ever more aware of your love and help others to experience that each and every day. Amen.
