Do Whatever He Says

This weekend's Gospel is the Wedding at Cana.  I have to admit, it is one of my favorites.  There are is so much going on in the story  and I simply love how Mary handles the whole affair.

It is suggested that since Mary, Jesus and Jesus' friends were invited to the wedding, that it most likely was for a relative.  And running out of wine for a wedding feast that goes for a week long would be terribly embarrassing for the Bride and the Groom.  Which is why Mary has taken notice of the lack of wine.  Not wanting her relatives to be embarrassed, she takes charge of the situation.

She calls her son over and explains what is going on.  Jesus makes a comment of why does this matter to me and it's not my hour.  Mary, a mother who has full confidence in her son's ability to handle the situation, does not accept Jesus' reasons.  I could almost see Mary roll her eyes (as mothers do sometimes when our children is trying to explain to us why they cannot do something we ask of them) and simple turns to the servants and tells them to do whatever Jesus says.  And then here is the best part - she leaves Jesus to handle it.

I am sure this either frustrated Jesus or amused him - the Gospels do not tell us.  We do know he was a dutiful son, who after being put on the spot, did his mother's bidding and handled the issue of the wine.

We don't know how Mary expected it to be handled, but she knew Jesus was resourceful enough to handle it and ensure that their relatives' wedding feast would continue without incident.   Jesus does handle it - and asks the servants to fill 6 large watering jugs which had been previously filled with water and was used to wash the guests' feet.  it is estimated that these jars each held 20 - 30 gallons.  The servants do as Jesus asks and then without another word, he simply tells them to draw some out and take it to the head waiter.  I'm sure they thought Jesus was crazy here - they had just filled these jugs with water and he wants them to take some to the head waiter?  But they did do just as he said, and the head waiter was amazed - not only was it now wine, but better wine than what was first served.  There are only a few witnesses to what has happened here - Jesus' friends, the servants and Mary.  We are told that his disciples began to believe in him.

As mothers we can see what our children are capable of doing - whether they believe they can or not.  And sometimes we need to do a little pushing to get them started.  Mary has done the same here.  She believed in Jesus and knew he could easily handle what needed to be done. 

Sometimes don't we all need a pushy mother in our life? 

When we feel we are being asked by the Father for something that may be a stretch to us, or we fear to do for whatever reason.  We can come up with hundreds of reasons of why we should not do it - not the right time, I'm too busy at work, I don't have enough money...etc.  But we need that mother who just listens to us and then puts us on the spot.  Mary is that for us just as she was for Jesus.  A mother who loves us, and who knows what we can do; she is fully aware of our gifts and abilities; and she know what we are capable of doing.  And she turns to us and say "do whatever he says."  There even may be a little eye rolling on her part when we protest.  But as good, faithful children - we do as our mother has requested and do whatever her son has asked of us.

My Brokenness

I had been at the VA with my 82 year old Dad for his Pre-Op Exam appointment.  He has been diagnosed with bladder cancer and stage 4 kidney failure.  I had pushed his wheelchair all over the facilities - we started with the scheduling nurse, then on to labs, third floor for a chest x-ray and seventh floor for an EKG, then back to the first floor to meet with the nurse practitioner for the rest of the exam.  It's a two hour drive for me to meet him and my uncle at the VA (I'm coming from the north, they are coming from the south.)  But, here is the rub, my Dad has not necessarily been the best Dad in the world - and now he is being a real pain.  He is grouchy, rude, and mean. He does not appreciate when anyone does any type of kindness to him and always has a hard opinion about everyone in the world.  When he and my brother are together - it is impossible - oil and water.  But, here I am - with all the emotions from childhood stirred up; pushing him around the hospital.  I feel as a good Christian Catholic I have a duty to be here since he is my Dad, no matter what our past holds.  But then I'm human with all my faults and brokenness; I just want to run away from the whole thing.  It has been very hard, and a test of faith.

That evening though was something very special and healing and it became clear quickly it was just what I needed.  I attended an exceptional evening at my parish to honor our Holy Mother Mary.

We have an unusual statue of Mary at our Church - she is called "Broken Mary."  Kevin Matthews, one of my fellow parishioners found her by a dumpster, broken in half, chipped, and faded by the sun.  After a little negotiating, the shop owner relented to allow Kevin to bring Mary home.  He had a company fix her a little, they had first wanted to make her perfect - but Kevin had said no - he wanted the cracks and imperfections - for she represents our brokenness.  Kevin has written a book on Broken Mary and you can find it here on Amazon.  She resides in my Parish Church, but she is out and about visiting others many a time.

So, back to our special night - it was called "Broken Mary 2.0"  Kevin shared his story and how Broken Mary - who has traveled all over the city, the state, and beyond, has changed his life and the lives of so many who have been touched by her.  He shared that he feels her calling him to bring us all back to the devotion of the Rosary.  And during the evening we also had a very wonderful treat from John Angotti.  He has written a very special song for Broken Mary entitled "Mary's House."  If you are not familiar with John's music - I recommend to you to learn more about him - He did a Parish Mission at my Church this past spring and it was inspiring.

For me, this was such a special evening of healing - my eyes filled with tears from the start when as a faith community we prayed a Rosary and to the very end of the evening with John singing again his song for Mary. 

It is truly amazing how the Father gives us exactly what we need - when we need it.  I was very broken that day - and found I was completely healed by Mary's love.  When we entrust our brokenness to Mary - she shares the love and healing of her merciful son with us.  If you too are feeling brokenness - prayer to our Holy Mother for the graces of love and peace - and pray a Rosary - you will find welcoming and grace within her Motherly embrace.

Broken Mary - Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI

Broken Mary - Dynamic Catholic

Mary and the Miraculous Medal

As Catholic Women we like to wear Medals of Mary, I know I do.  I purchased the current one I wear when I completed a Consecration to Mary and it was part of the actual consecration where Father would bless all of our medals.  There are many different medals to Mary - each with their own story and inspiration of Mary.  The one I wear and want to share with you is the Miraculous Medal.

Before I completed the Consecration, I had heard of the Miraculous Medal, knew it was about Mary, and that is about it.  When you are a young mom - there is so much going on in your life, you don't have or take the time to really study different Medals.  You simply trust the one you are wearing (which usually was a gift) will do it's job and protect you and your family.  We always think, once the kids are grown, I'll take the time.  At least that is what I said to myself and to God.

Well, now is time.....

The Miraculous Medal was created by Saint Catherine Laboure.  She was a french Sister of Charity, who in 1830 was awoken by a child's voice calling her to the chapel.  At the chapel she heard the Virgin Mary say to her "God wishes to charge you with a mission.  You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace to do what is necessary.  Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you.  Times are evil in France and in the world."  Later that year, the Blessed Mother appeared to Catherine, during her evening meditation, and displayed herself within an oval frame, standing upon a globe with rays of lights coming from each of her fingers directed towards the globe.  Catherine noticed that not all the fingers has rays of light from them; when she asked Mary about this, Mary replied that the rays of light were graces, and the fingers without rays were graces that no one asks for. She also explained to Mary everything that should be placed on the Medal.

Catherine shared with her Spiritual Director everything that had happened and exactly what the Holy Mother had said to her.  After a couple of years of investigation, the priest took the medal design to the Bishop for his approval.  Once receiving the Bishop's blessing, the medal was created.

Mary had said to Catherine "All who wear the medal will receive great graces."

Now, knowing all this let's think about the issue of graces not being asked for.  I ask, "how can this be?  With all the people in this world, there are still graces we are leaving on the table?"  This is a sad realization.  I've asked in prayer "what graces am I leaving behind?"  Well, I cannot change the pass and correct my lack of prayer and reflection from my earlier years.  Now, I can think about graces and Mary's blessings.  When I look at my medal, I am

reminded that I need to pray for ALL the graces the Father has for me - whether I know I need them or not.  Some graces are hard to receive - they challenge us to change and improvement.  Other's push us to do things for other people we would normally not have thought of doing.  All of this is good - really it is.

Oh, and that story I told myself of not having the time - was just that a story.  We all have a couple of minutes each day to pray - even if it is just as we lay our head on our pillow.  I wished I had realized that when I was younger - perhaps I would have been a better mother and wife.  But we cannot live in the past. We can only live in the here and now - and it is now I pray each day for all of God's graces.