Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Shortage Problem

What do we do when we become short of wine? Short of food? Short of energy? Short of money?

In John’s retelling of the Wedding Feast at Cana, Mary is the one who notices and becomes concerned that there is a shortage of wine. Was it her family wedding? Was she the caterer? Why does she care? Even Jesus seems to imply that it is none of her business.

Nevertheless, Mary (the woman, the mother, the perceptive one) instructs the servants to bring jars of water. She trusts that what she has paid attention to, combined with her awareness and her request will lead to Jesus’ doing something about it. In fact, she impels him to the first miracle of his ministry. Her deep concern for others pushes Jesus! Her bold faith and hope are evident in the directions she gives to the servants. And then she lets it go!

Mary teaches us that what we notice, what concerns us, also matters to Jesus. It also matters to God. Mary is filled with confidence and hope that what she brings to Jesus’ attention will be taken care of. And she acts! She tells Jesus and she tells the servants. She uses her voice to name the shortage and to name a solution.

This miracle, the first of many that Jesus performs, gives us insight into Mary’s role in our journey of faith. As we notice and are drawn to care with compassion, we too have the opportunity to use our voices for change. We can have a role in miracles too. What would we be doing today if we did “whatever He tells you?” How will our shortage be changed into abundance?