Mary’s request at Cana is a form of co-operation in the beginning of
her Son’s messianic mission and shows she was the first to believe in
him
"By emphasizing Mary's initiative in the first miracle and then
recalling her presence on Calvary at the foot of the Cross, the
Evangelist helps us understand how Mary's co-operation is extended to
the whole of Christ's work", the Holy Father said at the General
Audience of Wednesday, 5 March, as he reflected on Mary's role at Cana
and her co-operation in her Son's messianic mission. Here is a
translation of the Pope's catechesis, which was the 45th in the series
on the Blessed Mother and was given in Italian.
1. Describing Mary's presence in Jesus' public life, the Second
Vatican Council recalls her involvement at Cana on the occasion of the
first miracle: "At the marriage feast of Cana, moved with pity, she
brought about by her intercession the beginning of miracles of Jesus the
Messiah (cf. Jn 2: 1 -11)" (Lumen gentium, n. 58).
Following the Evangelist John, the Council points out the Mother's
discreet and effective role, when by her words she persuades her Son to
perform his "first sign". Although her influence is discreet
and maternal, her presence proves decisive.
Mary shows what a mother's love can do
The Blessed Virgin's initiative is all the more surprising if one
considers the inferior status of women in Jewish society. At Cana, in
fact, Jesus does not only recognize the dignity and role of the feminine
genius, but by welcoming his Mother's intervention, he gives her the
opportunity to participate in his messianic work. The epithet
"Woman", with which Jesus addresses Mary (cf. Jn 2:4), is not
in contrast with his intention. Indeed it has no negative connotations,
and Jesus will use it again when he addresses his Mother at the foot of
the Cross (cf. Jn 19:26). According to some interpretations, this title
"Woman" presents Mary as the New Eve, the mother in faith of
all believers.
In the text cited, the Council uses the expression "moved with
pity", letting it be understood that Mary was prompted by her
merciful heart. Having sensed the eventual disappointment of the newly
married couple and guests because of the lack of wine, the Blessed
Virgin compassionately suggests to Jesus that he intervene with his
messianic power.
To some, Mary's request may appear excessive, since it subordinates
the beginning of the Messiah's miracles to an act of filial devotion.
Jesus himself dealt with this difficulty when, by assenting to his
mother's request, he shows the Lord's superabundance in responding to
human expectations, manifesting also what a mother's love can do.
2. The expression "the beginning of his miracles", which
the Council has taken from John's text, attracts our attention. The
Greek term arche, translated as "beginning", is
used by John in the Prologue of his Gospel: "In the beginning was
the Word" (1:1). This significant coincidence suggests a parallel
between the very origins of Christ's glory in eternity and the first
manifestation of this same glory in his earthly mission.
By emphasizing Mary's initiative in the first miracle and then
recalling her presence on Calvary at the foot of the Cross, the
Evangelist helps us understand how Mary's co-operation is extended to
the whole of Christ's work. The Blessed Virgin's request is placed
within the divine plan of salvation.
In the first "sign" performed by Jesus, the Fathers of the
Church glimpsed an important symbolic dimension, seeing the
transformation of the water into wine as the announcement of the passage
from the Old to the New Covenant. At Cana it is precisely the water in
the jars, destined for the purification of the Jews and the fulfilment
of the legal prescriptions (cf. Mk 7:1-15), which becomes the new wine
of the wedding feast, a symbol of the definitive union between God and
humanity.
3. The context of a wedding banquet, chosen by Jesus for his first
miracle, refers to the marriage symbolism used frequently in the Old
Testament to indicate the Covenant between God and his People (cf. Hos
2:21; Jer 2:1-8; Ps 44; etc.), and in the New Testament to signify
Christ's union with the Church (cf. Jn 3:28-30; Eph 5:25-32; Rv 21:1-2,
etc.).
Jesus' presence at Cana is also a sign of God's saving plan for
marriage. In this perspective, the lack of wine can be interpreted as an
allusion to the lack of love that unfortunately often threatens marital
unions. Mary asks Jesus to intervene on behalf of all married couples,
who can only be freed from the dangers of infidelity, misunderstanding
and division by a love which is based on God. The grace of the sacrament
offers the couple this superior strength of love, which can reinforce
their commitment to fidelity even in difficult circumstances.
Mary initiates the Church's journey of faith
According to the interpretation of Christian authors, the miracle at
Cana also has a deep Eucharistic meaning. Performing this miracle near
the time of the Jewish feast Passover (cf. Jn 2:13), Jesus, as he did in
multiplying the loaves (cf. Jn 6:4), shows his intention to prepare the
true paschal banquet, the Eucharist. His desire at the wedding in Cana
seems to be emphasized further by the presence of wine, which alludes to
the blood of the New Covenant, and by the context of a banquet.
In this way, after being the reason for Jesus' presence at the
celebration, Mary obtains the miracle of the new wine which prefigures
the Eucharist, the supreme sign of the presence of her risen Son among
the disciples.
4. At the end of the account of Jesus' first miracle, made possible
by the firm faith of the Lord's Mother in her divine Son, the Evangelist
John concludes: "and his disciples believed in him" (2:11). At
Cana, Mary begins the Church's journey of faith, preceding the disciples
and directing the servants' attention to Christ.
Her persevering intercession likewise encourages those who at times
face the experience of "God's silence". They are asked to hope
beyond all hope, always trusting in the Lord's goodness.
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