For the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time…
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
John 2:5
In the Gospel according to John, Mary is never named as Mary. She is twice mentioned as the mother of Jesus, both here in the account of the wedding at Cana, and then later at the foot of the Cross of Christ (John 19). This allows Mary, the mother of Jesus, to take on a very expansive role toward us, the Gospel readers. As someone who has long been Marian-devoted in my prayer, I love Mary and am moved as I observe this unfolding of her relationship with Jesus to include us, the wider Church.
Two quick notes about the role of Mary seen here. First, in this account, she is the obedient figure, symbolic of the faithful of Israel who look to God for their redemption. She waits faithfully for the Lord to act, for his timing regarding the exercise of his power. She knows that all things miraculous are in Jesus’ hands. Second, she acts very deliberately as an intermediary between Jesus and his people. She presents the needs of others to Jesus, invoking his will in this present situation.
Mary is our model for faithfulness. She as much says to us, as she does to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” She is humbly obedient, yet very in tune with God’s will.
The Mother of Jesus is our mother, too. She is our spiritual mother in the order of grace, the Catechism says.
Her words, captured here in the verse above, ought to be a life motto for us all.
Mother Mary, be a mother to me now. Lead me to follow Jesus more faithfully.
