{"id":933,"date":"2011-03-16T21:53:37","date_gmt":"2011-03-17T03:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/?p=933"},"modified":"2013-11-04T16:32:54","modified_gmt":"2013-11-04T22:32:54","slug":"reading-jesus-between-the-lines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/catholic\/reading-jesus-between-the-lines\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading Jesus between the Lines"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Marriage at Cana by David Gerard<\/figcaption><\/figure>John 2:1-11<\/span> – The wedding feast at Cana – presents us with the only recounting of Jesus\u2019 first public miracle, which leaves the reader to ponder apparent gaps that might otherwise have been filled in by harmonizing with Mathew, Mark and Luke. The first two lines establish the setting; it\u2019s the third day of the week, Mary along with Jesus and the disciples are present. The next five lines set up the conditions for the miracle; the wine runs short, Mary mentions this to Jesus, Jesus responds, Mary prepares the waiters for Jesus\u2019 instructions, Jesus gives instructions regarding the jars used in ceremonial washing. These five lines, though they are few, are plump with sub context and meaning because, within these five lines are two unexplained turning points. The first turning point is when Mary\u2019s voice changes from the passive, \u201cThey have no wine\u201d to the active, \u201cDo whatever He tells you.\u201d The second turning point is when Jesus\u2019 actions change from the potential, \u201cmy hour has not yet come\u201d to the active, \u201cfill the jars with water.\u201d It would seem that in order for Mary to know what Jesus is about to do she would have to read signs of Jesus\u2019 consent. For us it\u2019s subtext; it\u2019s between the lines. What transpired between Jesus and Mary that gave Mary the confidence to prepare the waiters for instructions from Jesus: what transpired between Mary and Jesus that encouraged Jesus to outwardly perform this miracle? To fill in the gaps we can look at the Old Testament, Jewish tradition and surrounding New Testament chapters\u2026 and a little imagination.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo whatever He tells you,\u201d these are Mary\u2019s last words recorded in the Bible. Mary doesn\u2019t say anything else; maybe she just looks at Jesus. She knows He\u2019s right that it\u2019s none of their concern if the wine runs out. Still, it matters to Mary. This is important because, in a sense Mary is fulfilling what many Old Testament figures failed to do; she\u2019s interceding for others. Certainly this doesn\u2019t rule out the great bastions of faith like Abraham who interceded for Lot but even a true remnant such as Noah failed to ask pardon for the people God was about to destroy. The problem goes back to Adam who, in full knowledge that his wife Eve had disobeyed God, failed to seek God and ask pardon for her but instead chose to share in disobedience. Shortly after this God punished the couple saying that the man should bring forth the produce of the land by the sweat of his brow and the woman should bring forth her children in pain. Both of these pronouncements are a \u201cbringing forth\u201d; the man with the land and the woman with her children. Both of these pronouncements have something to do with the ministry of Christ which is beginning at Cana. <\/p>\n

First, the woman\u2019s pain is not exclusively a physical pain but a deeply spiritual and emotional pain that all mothers experience as their children grow. It is a kind of satisfying yearning for their development into adulthood and perfection. It is this kind of soul wrenching pain, that in its ultimate form, Mary endures while witnessing her son\u2019s passion, and in a more moderate tone, seems to motivate Mary at the wedding at Cana. She is concerned as any good mother would be. She is also, in a way, \u201cbringing forth\u201d her son into public ministry by encouraging Him to inaugurate it with this first public miracle.<\/p>\n

Second, the work of the hands of man in bringing forth produce is symbolically present in the wine at the wedding feast at Cana. It is part of our Eucharistic liturgy, stemming from tradition, to thank God both for the wine we have to drink as a gift from Him and for having it as a product of the work of human hands. From there, the priest asks for the intercession of the Holy Spirit to cause bread and wine to become the Body and Blood of Christ for us. God takes the work of man, which the Church \u2018brings forth\u2019 as an offering, and completes it by His spirit. God doesn\u2019t reject our work but rather he accepts it and elevates it beyond anything we could possibly have done on our own. The wine, by itself, is insufficient just as the work of man, by itself, is insufficient. Just as the first wine is good wine and the second wine is better wine, so too is the work of man good and the work of God best. It is because of the sacrifice of Christ that these gifts are \u2018brought forth\u2019 as wholly perfect gifts to God the Father. <\/p>\n

Mary seems to know that Jesus will do something about the shortage of wine. So enveloped in God\u2019s plan is Mary that she may understand the significance of this event deeper than we might ever come to know. Her words precede those of the Father at the transfiguration and yet they have the same meaning. Veiled by clouds at the Transfiguration God said, \u201cThis is my Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him,\u201d (Matthew 17:5<\/span> Mark 9:6<\/span> Luke 9:35<\/span> – also compare with the baptism of Jesus [ Mark 1:11<\/span> Matthew 3:17<\/span> Luke 3:22<\/span> ]). Mary is saying much the same thing with her words, \u201cDo whatever He tells you.\u201d But at Cana, instead of a transfiguration we see a transformation, which is something Jesus refused to do when Satan tempted Him in the desert. Stones, Jesus would not turn to bread for His own comfort and nourishment, but water He would turn into wine for the sake of others. Jesus rebuked Satan but heeded Mary because His mother\u2019s plan is in line with His Father\u2019s plan. <\/p>\n

The Father\u2019s plan was to reveal Jesus as the Christ so that people might believe in Him and be reconciled and have eternal life. He sent John baptizing to prepare people to receive this good news and John testified that Jesus is \u201cthe Lamb of God,\u201d (John 1:29-31<\/span> John 3:29-31<\/span>) . From baptismal waters, waters of cleansing like the ceremonial water in the jars at the wedding at Cana, Jesus brings forth wine, wine of thanksgiving like the wine at the last supper. Turning water into wine manifests the power and glory of Christ, foreshadows a covenant that transforms the old into the new, and fortifies the faith of the disciples. <\/p>\n

The jars used for ceremonial washing are an integral part of this miracle. Guests would have used the water already to cleanse themselves before eating. Filling them again would seem strange or anticipate another round of cleansing. By using these jars Jesus is saying that the laws of ritual cleanliness are about to come alive through Him. Cleanliness will no longer be just about physical purity, but more so, it will be about spiritual purity. In the proceeding chapter of John, Jesus explains this rebirth in the spirit to Nicodemus (John 3:1-7<\/span>). So the context of the miracle at the wedding feast is rebirth in the spirit, and whether Mary knew it or not, her intersession fit with all that God wanted to do.<\/p>\n

So how does all this transpire in just a few lines of John? It has to do with the two hearts of Mary and Jesus being so connected. Imagine this. Concerned for the bride and groom Mary mentions to Jesus that, \u201cthey have no wine.\u201d Perhaps somewhat distracted from another conversation, Jesus replies, \u201cWhat is this between you and me?\u201d Then they catch each other\u2019s eyes, she finding hope in Him and He reaching deep into her heart. Mary seems to say, \u2018it should not matter to anyone but it does to me. I can do nothing but you can do everything.\u2019 Jesus seems to reply, \u2018Now here is a heart after my own heart, one who hopes in God; True faith.\u2019 He cannot turn her down, but seeing that it fits with the Father\u2019s plan, Jesus nods his head. That is all that Mary needs and she sets about the work of instilling confidence in the waiters who will, like altar boys, follow along and serve. How close to the heart of God Mary must be! And she wants us to be close to Him too. That\u2019s why she points the way to Christ, asking us to be like the waiters and to do as He says. In following Jesus this way we open ourselves to miracles and transformation.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div>John 2:1-11<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
1<\/span>And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there.<\/div>
2<\/span>And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage.<\/div>
3<\/span>And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine.<\/div>
4<\/span>And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come.<\/div>
5<\/span>His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.<\/div>
6<\/span>Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece.<\/div>
7<\/span>Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.<\/div>
8<\/span>And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it.<\/div>
9<\/span>And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom,<\/div>
10<\/span>And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.<\/div>
11<\/span>This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Matthew 17:5<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
5<\/span>And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Mark 9:6<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
6<\/span>And there was a cloud overshadowing them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my most beloved son; hear ye him.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Luke 9:35<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
35<\/span>And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son; hear him.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Mark 1:11<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
11<\/span>And there came a voice from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Matthew 3:17<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
17<\/span>And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Luke 3:22<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
22<\/span>And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John 1:29-31<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
29<\/span>The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world.<\/div>
30<\/span>This is he, of whom I said: After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because he was before me.<\/div>
31<\/span>And I knew him not, but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John 3:29-31<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
29<\/span>He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with joy because of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled.<\/div>
30<\/span>He must increase, but I must decrease.<\/div>
31<\/span>He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John 3:1-7<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
1<\/span>And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.<\/div>
2<\/span>This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him.<\/div>
3<\/span>Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<\/div>
4<\/span>Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born again?<\/div>
5<\/span>Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.<\/div>
6<\/span>That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.<\/div>
7<\/span>Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"<\/a>

John 2:1-11 – The wedding feast at Cana – presents us with the only recounting of Jesus\u2019 first public miracle, which leaves the reader to ponder apparent gaps that might otherwise have been filled in by harmonizing with Mathew, Mark and Luke. The first two lines establish the setting; it\u2019s the third day of the … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,1,4,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apologetics","category-catholic","category-meditations","category-mysteries-of-the-holy-rosary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=933"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1227,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/933\/revisions\/1227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}