SON, THEY HAVE NO WINE!
Reflections on the Importance of Devotion to Mary
By Rev. John J. Raphael, SSJ
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At Cana, however, there is no anguish, no hurt feelings, no misunderstanding, there is only action. "Do whatever he tells you!" Mary's words echo the words of the Father that were heard at the Transfiguration of Jesus, "listen to him." (Mt 17:5; Lk 9:35). At Cana Mary is both Mother and Disciple, as mother she responds to her son Jesus, as disciple she models for us the quintessential quality of discipleship, trusting obedience to the master. Who could go wrong, if they put this advice into practice each and every moment of their lives?

Now six stone jars were standing there, 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 steward of the feast." So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."

Then there is the miracle, or as it is appropriately called in John's Gospel, the sign. There is something quite ordinary in this sign. One is struck by the fact that Jesus is modestly involved in the whole in the process while at the same time he involves so many others in it. Those familiar with the Scriptures know that sometimes Jesus just speaks a word and a miraculous cure takes place or a force of nature is quieted. Yet at other times, he uses something else, such as paste made out of spittle and dust, in order to effect a change. This time, just as at the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus involves several to "assist" him. Those assisting him as well as those who are the direct beneficiaries of the miracle are all transformed by the experience.

The steward is blown away by the quality of the wine to the extent that he vigorously compliments the bridegroom on his "generosity" in saving the best wine for last. What can the bridegroom say? Did he even know there was a problem? Was he aware of how close he came to public disgrace? Yet, it was the lowly servants who saw what really took place. Imagine them now. They put the water into the jars. They were probably aware of the impending disaster as well since it was their job to bring more wine to the invited guests upon demand. What were they thinking and feeling now? "Who is this man…?"

Just as Jesus "chose" to make Mary a part of this sign, so also did he choose these others to play a role in it. Does he not continue to work this way in the Church, choosing us not because he needs us, but because we need him and we need each other? Does he not continue to transform us through the sacramental life of the Church, as in the sacraments he transforms ordinary things, bread and wine, into extraordinary realities, his body and blood? Was not this particular transformation witnessed at Cana spurred on by a simple observation and intervention by Mary?

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Caper'na-um, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples; and there they stayed for a few days.

Jesus' glory is manifested whenever his gift of salvation is realized, recognized, and received. As at Cana, it always involves a reference to and participation in the mystery of the Cross-no cross, no crown, no suffering, no salvation. Cana reveals the very special and unique role that Mary plays in God's salvation plan. Mary is here as mother not only to Jesus, but to all who are born of water and the Spirit. As a young mother, with her child in her arms, Mary was told that "…a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed" (Lk 2:35). A causal relationship is established between the sorrow of Mary and the unveiling of the secret thoughts of many. Mary was given a real and indispensable role to play in Jesus' work of salvation. She was the catalyst that resulted in the Miracle at Cana, she continues to be the catalyst in so many other miracles, acknowledged and unacknowledged, in our lives.

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