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TODAY’S WORD…

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The mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

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– John 2:3 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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A wedding takes place in Cana.

As a friend or relation, she is present at this modest celebration

and Jesus has been invited as well.

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It was customary for the women who knew the family

to help in the preparation of all that was needed.

The wedding feast began and, either through lack of foresight

or because more guests turned up than had been expected,

the wine ran out.

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Our Lady, who is helping, is quick to realise this.

Jesus is there, her Son, her God,

the Messiah who has just begun His public preaching and ministry.

She better than anyone else, knows this.

Yet she caringly goes up to Jesus

and, without asking for anything, she points to a need: ”They have no wine.”

She teaches us how to pray.

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It looks as if Jesus is going to refuse Mary what she asks:

“My hour has not yet come,” He says to her.

But Mary, who knows the heart of her son very well,

behaves as though He has acceded to her petition immediately:

“Do whatever He tells you,” she says to the servants.

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The miracle takes place because Our Lady has interceded,

it happens only because of her petition.

Mary is a mother who is attentive to all our needs,

more than any mother on earth has ever been or ever will be.

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“Why do Mary’s prayers have such efficacy before God?

The prayers of saints are the prayers of servants,

whereas those of Mary are the prayers of a mother,

whence they receive their efficacy and authoritative character.

As Jesus’ love for His mother is limitless,

she cannot ask for anything without being heard…

Nobody asked the Blessed Virgin to intercede with her Son on the distressed couple’s behalf.

Above all, Mary’s heart, which never fails to have pity on the unfortunate…

impelled her to take upon herself the task of intercessor

and beg her Son for the miracle, even though nobody had asked her to. …

If Our Lady acted thus without being asked,

how would it have been if they ‘had’ asked?” (St Alphonsus Liguori)

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What will we not receive

if we persist in turning to Our Mother Mary time and again?

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Prayer for us, O Holy Mother of God,

that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …… …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.