Evangelisation: Et Incarnatus Est 2
We have seen how Mary looked after Jesus in His childhood and Youth. Let us now turn to Jesus the Man. At about 30, Jesus began his mission and gathered some followers. At the Marriage Feast of Cana we are told he was there with his Mother. We have a story where Mary told Jesus there was no wine left. Jesus replied "What has that to do with us, my hour has not yet come" But Mary told the stewards to do whatever Jesus told them to do, and we had the miracle of the water changing into wine, so the first Miracle of Jesus was worked at the request of his Mother. But let us try to sketch the bakground to this and get a more human story.
Now the family of the bride were in trouble. They had run out of wine. It was a possible humiliation for them and they did not tell the guests but turned to Mary, for she was obviously a woman they could trust. Mary had no ideas but she knew someone who could help in this situation and that was her Son Jesus. She did not know how, she did to know what he would do, she just trusted in his love. She was not thinking of asking for a miracle but just help. It was Jesus who pointed out that it was a miracle that was needed, but claimed he was not ready for that step yet. But Mary was a persistent woman and she knew how much Jesus loved her, so she prepared the way by asking the stewards to do whatever Jesus asked. To her delight the miracle happened. Perhaps the parents of the bride were unaware that in asking Mary they were setting a president. Thousands would do so afterwards. and her role as mediator with Jesus was established. I am having trouble with my hearing at the moment and I can just see her sitting on a throne as Queen of Heaven beside the King of Kings and saying 'He needs his hearing back" Perhaps the same reply will come "What has that to do with us", but like Mary, I am confident.
But then came to fruit the prophecy of Simeon. Jesus was scourged and mocked and given the Cross to carry to Calvary. Most mothers I am sure would have remained weeping at home. But Mary knew that Jesus needed her. He needed that person bedside him who loved him most. So Mary accompanied Jesus on his journey of suffering, her own heart sharing his pain. When he despaired she was there to encourage him onwards. What a cruel sword was placed in her heart. As a mother she was meant to plead for him, cry for mercy, but she too was cast in the role of offering her Son and herself to God. But this helpless man at that moment was not God incarnate but her flesh and blood, her only son. Then he was on the Cross and dying. She watched the life the she had given him slowly come to an end. Then when it was over, her Son was in her arms, and she cried in anguish for that Son, now that his sufferings were over.
We have so much to thank Mary for that it hurts me as a Catholic to hear others dismiss her as unimportant. God depended on her, Jesus depended on her, and we in the Church we need her intercession with Jesus. Do not tell me that Jesus looks on her as just another woman. Jesus was a true son, and Mary a true mother.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for us.
Now the family of the bride were in trouble. They had run out of wine. It was a possible humiliation for them and they did not tell the guests but turned to Mary, for she was obviously a woman they could trust. Mary had no ideas but she knew someone who could help in this situation and that was her Son Jesus. She did not know how, she did to know what he would do, she just trusted in his love. She was not thinking of asking for a miracle but just help. It was Jesus who pointed out that it was a miracle that was needed, but claimed he was not ready for that step yet. But Mary was a persistent woman and she knew how much Jesus loved her, so she prepared the way by asking the stewards to do whatever Jesus asked. To her delight the miracle happened. Perhaps the parents of the bride were unaware that in asking Mary they were setting a president. Thousands would do so afterwards. and her role as mediator with Jesus was established. I am having trouble with my hearing at the moment and I can just see her sitting on a throne as Queen of Heaven beside the King of Kings and saying 'He needs his hearing back" Perhaps the same reply will come "What has that to do with us", but like Mary, I am confident.
But then came to fruit the prophecy of Simeon. Jesus was scourged and mocked and given the Cross to carry to Calvary. Most mothers I am sure would have remained weeping at home. But Mary knew that Jesus needed her. He needed that person bedside him who loved him most. So Mary accompanied Jesus on his journey of suffering, her own heart sharing his pain. When he despaired she was there to encourage him onwards. What a cruel sword was placed in her heart. As a mother she was meant to plead for him, cry for mercy, but she too was cast in the role of offering her Son and herself to God. But this helpless man at that moment was not God incarnate but her flesh and blood, her only son. Then he was on the Cross and dying. She watched the life the she had given him slowly come to an end. Then when it was over, her Son was in her arms, and she cried in anguish for that Son, now that his sufferings were over.
We have so much to thank Mary for that it hurts me as a Catholic to hear others dismiss her as unimportant. God depended on her, Jesus depended on her, and we in the Church we need her intercession with Jesus. Do not tell me that Jesus looks on her as just another woman. Jesus was a true son, and Mary a true mother.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for us.
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