The Miracle at Cana

The last several times I've been praying the Luminous mysteries of the rosary, the miracle at the wedding at Cana has been playing a central role. My usual thoughts and contemplations on this mystery have usually centered on Mary's words to the servants: "Do whatever He tells you."

These are the words that first took on real meaning to me as I was beginning my search for a deeper meaning and practice of my faith following my reversion conversion. I had been asked to join the RCIA team at my parish after sponsoring a friend the previous year. It was being a member of this group that showed me how little I truly remembered of the faith from my catholic school upbringing. My poor catechesis, that is the lack of a solid foundation for my faith, would become apparent as I struggled to answer questions. I began to search for help in learning more about the fundamentals of the faith. I had been hearing about an Archbishop Burke, who was saying catholics in public office should be denied Holy Communion if they are not practicing their faith in their public life. This orthodox stance really grabbed my heart. Here was a man willing to stand up for the Truth! The Holy Spirit led me to a site (www.Mariancatechist.com) for Marian Catechists. They offered a self study course that seemed perfect for me. The material was written by Fr. John Hardon, who, along with Archbishop Burke, founded the Marian Catechists. It was within this material that the words, "Do whatever He tells you." found fertile soil in my heart.

A deeper meaning of these words has begun to unfold for me lately. While the guests and wedding party were certainly the ultimate recipients of the miracle Jesus performed when He changed the water into wine, who were the true witnesses? The servants! It was they who our Lord instructed to fill the jugs with water (likely grumbling about having to fetch so much water!). It was the servants who would have absoloutely no doubt that what they fetched was indeed water. And it was the servants who would have been the most credible witnesses of the actual miracle of turning the water into wine. So it was these servants who would have been the first to spread the news of this miracle. 

As I ponder this revelation, I am astounded anew at several levels. Jesus, being perfect in all that He did in His human life, was the perfect teacher. Not just in what He said but what He did. His every action was a teaching moment. In displaying His Divinity in this manner, was He not revealing what the true role of what a catechist and evangelist should be, i.e. that of a servant? Was He not also revealing that the lowest would be the first to spread His Word and thus elevated? And did not our Lord, knowing full well who He was first revealing Himself to, also know that the servants would spread this news primarily to other servants? Does it not reveal to us who are called to preach and teach about Jesus that we must be first and foremost servants?

I've just begun to contemplate the incredible implications of this revelation and realize the depths of this one act. This is yet another onion with an abundant number of layers to be peeled in contemplation of Jesus' Divine teachings. You may want to consider this next Thursday when you pray the Luminous mysteries.

Jesus, I love you and trust you.

Jesus, I love you and trust you.

Jesus, I love you and trust you.

Jesus, please help me to love you and trust you more.

Amen.