January Seventeenth

❀ ❁ January 17^th ❀ ❁

On the third day there was a wedding in Can 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 me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tell you." John 2:1-5, NRSVCE

There is everything about Mary. She is the young girl who answered God's call without hesitation, with "Fiat." These verses speak volumes about her, through her relationship with Jesus.

Jesus and His disciples were invited and attended a social function which probably lasted a week. Before this, we are told His mother was there. Interestingly, John, who was close to Jesus, never mentions Mary by name in this book. In this vignette, Mary intercedes on behalf of the bride and groom.  This reflects the way Mary intercedes on our behalf.

Mary is not divine; she is as human as you or I. We are to show her reverence, as she is our Lord’s mother.  Jesus shares her DNA and she is the one who changed his diapers, and fretted over every childhood injury.  She was the one closest to Jesus, the mother whose sorrow we cannot comprehend.

When going to a friend’s home, we are sure to greet his mother, a woman who may also provide us with a plate of cookies or a delicious meal.  In the book of John, about a disciple, Jesus tells his mother, “Dear woman, this is your son.” He then tells the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27, NLT)  He is setting the stage for us to have a relationship with her.

As mothers we have Mary’s example.  We do not pray to her, but ask her to pray for us.

Pray for grace to see Mary in the context of our LORD and in a way that facilitates our walk as Christians.

Ask Him to show us how we can use her example and ask her for intercession.