Both at Cana and at the Cross, Jesus uses a peculiar form of address for his Mother. When the wine runs out, his Mother lets him know and he curtly tells her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). She simply tells the stewards to do as he says and he turns water into wine. At the Cross, he addresses Mary again as THE WOMAN, saying, “Woman, behold your son,” and next to John, “behold your mother”(John 19:26-27). Everything has come to pass, from his first sign at Cana to the sign of the Cross at Calvary. The hour has finally come. Now he will not change water to wine but offer an oblation that will be renewed in wine and bread transformed into his body and blood. Jesus is offering his life for his bride the Church. He goes to his own marriage banquet, the supper of the Lamb. Mary is not a mere spectator. She is a player in the divine drama with a purpose. There may seem to be some confusion in Christ’s words, but I suspect that our Lord says many things with the few spoken words remaining to him. Certainly, Mary beholds the spectacle and her eyes are steadily upon her beloved Son, Jesus. But our Lord is also directing her eyes away to John, who is our emissary at the Cross.
Mary must be there for the believing community. They will need her. Jesus also directs John’s gaze to Mary. Christ is entrusting his Mother to John and the early Church.
Filed under: Catholic, Jesus, Mary, Religion | Leave a comment »
Blogger Priest 