Do Whatever He Tells You

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Beth Harney

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;

there are different forms of service but the same Lord;

there are different workings but the same God

who produces all of them in everyone.

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit

is given for some benefit.  1 Cor 12:4-7

When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”  John 2:3-5

Piety

Memorare

Remember,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins my Mother;
to thee do I come,
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful;
O Mother of thy Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy clemency hear and answer me.
Amen.

Study

Mary is observant.  The wedding hosts have run out of wine.  She wants to help.  Mary intercedes on behalf of her hosts and approaches Jesus with a simple statement:  “They have no wine.”  She is not asking or demanding that Jesus do anything.  Instead, Mary, the Mother of God, lovingly presents the dilemma to Jesus, the Son of God.  She then turns to the servers and tells them “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Imagine what the servants must have been thinking when Jesus told them to take the stone jars used for ritual washings, fill them with water, and then draw some out to present to the head steward.  His request must have seemed astonishing to them.  They may have exchanged puzzled glances with each other, and maybe even shrugged their shoulder or rolled their eyes but they obeyed, even though what Jesus asked made little sense to them.

In her last recorded words in the Bible, Mary asked the servers to have faith and trust in her Son.  She asks the same of us.  Her words challenge us to trust in the Lord always, even when what He is asking makes little sense to us.  Mary understands that we may not always know how to answer His call.  She reminds us that we are not alone.  If we turn to her, Mary, the Mother of God, also will lovingly present our dilemmas to Jesus, the Son of God. 

Amen!

Action

Take a moment to ponder the encounter between Mary, Jesus, and the servants at Cana.  Meditate on her words, “Do whatever he tells you.”  Pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.