Do Something

John 2:1-12

Jesus begins his ministry by reluctantly responding to a human need.

Photo by Junior REIS on Unsplash

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 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 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.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days. - John 2:1-12

I was raised Catholic, believing that Mary was the one to go to if I needed Jesus to help me.

My grandmother taught me to pray the Novena to Mary because she is the intercessor, the one to go to when in need.

Protestant denominations prefer to go directly to Jesus and the Father, rather than ask Mary to help nudge Jesus into acting on our behalf.

The Episcopal Church, where I was received and became a deacon, falls somewhere in the middle, with some seeking Mary’s intercession, while others honor her but do not pray for her help.

Eastern Orthodox religions hold Mary in high regard as the “God-bearer” and the most honored member of the Church, the staunch believer in her son’s divinity.

So, this wedding feast brings Jesus to the people in a variety of ways. He comes to be a part of the community celebration of a life together for a young couple, and he is urged by his mother to help, even though he is unprepared to reveal himself.

There is a lesson for all of us in how Mary responds to the needs of the community here.

Chances are, she didn’t know what Jesus would do, but she knew he could do something.

That is what we should take away from this story. It is not simply about Jesus performing a miracle. If that is all this is, we can walk away with a feeling of awe at his power.

And it is not simply a moment of revelation for the disciples, that Jesus is divine.

It is a reminder to us that we can be asked to do something when we see a need. Mary is holy but not divine. She is an example of all of us. With faith, we can make things happen, as she did.

But we may say that we don’t have the power to work miracles.

Really?

Jesus’ first miracle is to do something very basic, to provide wine for the guests when the supply ran out.

He did that in a miraculous way, but it was a simple thing, something we could do to help make the momentous event memorable. The wine was the best, saved for the last.

That is our call, to be the best we can be for those we encounter. When we see a need, we can simply ask, “Can I help you with that?”

More to come...

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