St. Bernard of Clairvaux is famously quoted as saying, “De Maria, numquam satis” – or, “of Mary, never enough.” We always have something to learn from our Blessed Mother. In reflecting on the Gospel for this Sunday, our Holy Father Pope Francis offered this reflection:
“…let us turn to Mary. The words that Mary addresses to the servants crown the spousal picture of Cana: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:6). Today too, Our Lady tells all of us to “Do whatever he tells you”. These words are a precious legacy that our Mother left us. And indeed, the servants in Cana obey: “Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the steward of the feast.’ So they took it” (vv. 7-8). Truly, a New Covenant is pledged at this wedding. And a new mission is entrusted to the servants of the Lord, namely, the entire Church: “Do whatever he tells you”. To serve the Lord means to listen and to put his Word into practice. It is the simple, essential recommendation of Jesus’ Mother. It is the program for a Christian’s life.
I would like to highlight an experience which many of us have certainly had in life. When we are in difficult situations, when problems arise that we do not know how to resolve, when we feel a lot of anxiety and distress, when we lack joy, go to Our Lady and say: “We have no wine. The wine has run out: Look at the state I am in, look at my heart, look at my soul”. Say it to the Mother. And she will go to Jesus to say: Look at this one: he or she has no wine. And then, she will come back to us and say: “Do whatever he tells you”.
For each of us, drawing from the jar is tantamount to entrusting ourselves to the Word and to the Sacraments in order to experience God’s grace in our lives. Then we too, as the steward who tasted the water that had become wine, can say: “you have kept the good wine until now” (v. 10). Jesus always surprises us. Let us speak to the Mother so that she may speak to her Son and he will surprise us.
May she, the Holy Virgin, help us to follow his invitation: “Do whatever he tells you”, so that we can fully open up to Jesus, recognizing in everyday life the signs of his vitalizing presence.”
– Pope Francis, Angelus, January 20, 2019
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As you are undoubtedly aware, last weekend the Diocese announced some new directives relative to the pandemic. There are a few liturgical changes: the presentation of the gifts and the sign of peace are both temporarily suspended. (As an aside, both have always been optional anyway.) Additionally, some parish events are being postponed until a later date, when conditions will be safer. Smaller group meetings are continuing provided all in attendance wear masks.
It feels like most of the time I’m called to anoint someone at the hospitals these days, they’re a covid patient. Let’s continue to be diligent in doing what we can to protect ourselves and others, and let’s continue to pray for an end to this pestilence.
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The Knights of Columbus are collecting socks, hats, and gloves to be distributed to the homeless. The collection drive will run through the month of January. Please bring your donations to church and place them in the designated bin.
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Thursday, February 3rd, Bishop William Waltersheid, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, will be at St. Bernadette Church of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish for a Holy Hour. The evening begins at 6:30 PM and includes Eucharistic Adoration, an opportunity for confession, and a reflection by the Bishop. We are grateful to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Men’s Fellowship for co-sponsoring this event.
Oremus pro invicem!
