NOTES for Joh 2:3-5

When reading the Gospel of John, more than once one has the sense that something strange is happening. Every conversation is not the exchange of remarks familiar to us, but rather a sequence of events in which, as in life, strict logic is not so easy to detect. So it is in this small passage. To Mary's natural report, not even a request, Jesus answers with a mysterious, obscure phrase. It cannot mean, after all, "And what do we have to do with that?" although it sounds like an objection. And after this Mary, instead of continuing the conversation with Jesus, otherwise His phrase would somehow "hang in the air," turns to other people and tells them to obey Jesus, as if His decision has already been made and She knows it.

These "gaps" in logic, however, allow us to "reconstruct" the fullness of understanding between Son and Mother and as if immerse us in the depth of their bond of heart. Mary brings human problems to Her Son, and She does not need to ask for anything, because She knows that His love is no less. He, knowing that She understands Him, does not say, "I will do it now," but calls Her to share with Him the weight of the path ahead: "You do understand what it means that I am beginning to work miracles." And Mary, without saying "yes," immediately takes the next step: She is with Him, She calls people to trust Jesus. Here there are so few words and so much love.