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On
the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of
Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the
wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to
him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not
yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do
whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars
there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty
gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with
water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told
them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So
they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become
wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had
drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to
him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have
drunk freely, an interior one; but you have kept the good wine until
now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana
in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to
believe in him.
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The
Harry Potter movies have a number of major themes that run throughout
all of them, but one of the strongest and most poignant is the love
that Harry has for his real mother and father. It is especially
clear in the movie "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban." From the beginning of the movie and throughout,
we understand Harry’s special relationship with his parents, and
the feeling he has for those who have taken away his opportunity of
growing up with his loving parents.
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It
is clear from the Scriptures that Jesus had a special relationship with
his mother, and by extension, one would suppose, a similar relationship
with his father, although his father is not present in his public
ministry. His mother was present, and according to the
Scriptures, was present during significant moments in Jesus’
life.
One of those moments is at the very beginning of his public ministry. As the evangelist John comments, "Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs...and so revealed his glory." Jesus’ love for his mother prompts him to begin the process of redemption, the process of saving humankind. It is no wonder that the Catholic Church has such a strong devotion honoring Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Jesus loved her with all of his heart. As Jesus loved his parents, as Harry Potter loved his parents, we are called to think of our own relationship with our parents or those who have been responsible for our growth. There are many people who could fall into the category of parents or parental figures for us. Some are still living; some are not. Jesus’ example calls us to have a special relationship with them, a relationship of thankfulness for what they have done, and a relationship of care for them, actual care for those who are alive, and praying for those who have died. |
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THOUGHT
What are the best ways to care for parents
or parental figures as they grow older?
PRAYER Good
and gracious God, your Son loved his human mother and father while he
was here with us. As we try to live our lives based on his
teachings, help us to truly love and care for those who have given us
life. Be with us, we pray.
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©2007
Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |
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