“True motherhood is awake to the needs of others and committed to Christ as the solution.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 11, 2023
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” John 2:1-3, ESV
The best mothers I know have a remarkable ability to read the needs of any situation and respond with a solution. I believe this is rooted in the deep formation that takes place in and through the journey of bearing, sustaining, and raising a child. Children are entirely dependent upon their mothers for life and sustenance, and a mother must therefore be ever-attentive to their needs and seek out creative solutions to the ever-expanding needs of their young ones.
When this other-focused and self-giving way of life is cultivated, day in and day out, it should come as no surprise that mothers care, not only for their own children, but for the needs of their friends, families, and communities in deep and meaningful ways.
The Virgin Mary is the most excellent vision of motherhood that the world has ever seen, and in John 2 we see her perfectly embodying this vision of attentive and selfless motherhood. As she attends a wedding in the town of Cana, she sees a social disaster beginning to unfold. Wine was a symbol of feasting and the abundant provision of God, and thus closely associated with moments of great celebration and joy, such as a wedding. Yet for this wine to run out mid-party would have not only been a disappointment to the attendees, but a source of shame and embarrassment for the host.
How easy it would have been for Mary to ignore this crisis. How tempting it may have been to join in the chatter amongst the attendees. “Can you believe they are out of wine?” “I’m so glad I’m not the one hosting this party.” “Did they not know how many people had RSVP’d?” Yet as an attentive mother, she steps in and seeks a solution, and it is in her response that we see why she is praised throughout all generations (Luke 1:48).
When trouble emerges, Mary turns to Jesus for help. Identifying the need is the first step, yet knowing where to turn in times of trouble is what leads us and others into places of peace. True motherhood is awake to the needs of others and committed to Christ as the solution.
Prayer
Father, we thank you for the witness of Mary, and for the countless mothers after her who have opened their hearts to the needs of others and consistently pointed them to Jesus. Amen.
Application
If you’ve encountered a mother like Mary in today’s story, give thanks to God for them and, if you are able, express your appreciation to them directly.
Related Reading
Proverbs 31:27; Ezekiel 19:10-11; Luke 1:30
Worship Resource
The Worship Initiative feat. John Marc Kohl: Because He Lives
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