“Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5)

This week’s Gospel reading features St. John’s narration of Jesus’ turning water into wine in a wedding feast in Cana. Jesus has just begun his public ministry. This is his first miracle; a miracle that “revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (Jn 2:11).

Jesus attends the wedding with his mother Mary and the disciples. By his presence at the wedding of Cana, Jesus sanctifies the covenant of marriage. The Church attaches great importance to Jesus' attendance of the wedding. It is a confirmation of the goodness of marriage and a proclamation that marriage will be an invaluable sign of his presence (Ref. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, New Testament, P164, CCC 1613).

Jesus and Mary hold center stage in this episode. When Mary knows that the wine has run out, she is concerned about the embarrassment that may cause the couple, so she tells Jesus, “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3, Ref. ICSB NT, P164). Mary appears perfectly confident that Jesus will respond favorably to her petition. In effect, Jesus would not have initiated the miracle at Cana, he said, “My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4). Yet he does not refuse his mother’s prompting, complies with her request and turns water into wine (Ref. Jn 2:7-8, ICSB NT, P170).

Mary intervenes at Cana for the needs of others. Taken up to heaven, she continues to care and intercede for us, who still journey on earth , surrounded by dangers and difficulties, and lead us to our heavenly home where the gifts of eternal salvation await us (Ref CCC 969). Therefore, in the “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church - Lumen Gentium” solemnly promulgated by St. Pope Paul VI in 1964, “the Blessed Virgin is invoked by the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix. However, it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator” (LG 62).

After Mary has spoken to Jesus that there is not enough wine, she tells the servants to “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). These are the final words of Mary in the New Testament, her spiritual testimony for all disciples of Jesus, including ourselves (Ref. ICSB NT, P170). For the miracle to happen, the servant must obey Jesus’ instructions. Mary our heavenly mother is our advocate who will intercede for us, even without our asking. So, we too, must be steadfast and faithful in doing whatever Jesus tells us to do, all the days of our life, especially when we ask for her intercession in prayer.