Tag: Mother Mary

The true wine that demolished Satanic strongholds and transformed the world!: Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11).

Fr Dr Saji K Mathew2 Comments

The brief conversation between Jesus Christ and Mother Mary has generated a lot of curiosity in the theological colloquium. Jesus’s response to Mother Mary, Woman, why does this concern us? (John 2:4) has often led to a kind of misunderstanding that attempts to distance Mother Mary from Jesus Christ. This misunderstanding could only be corrected by Jesus Himself in whom God the Father has set forth His wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7-9; Matthew 13:11). Therefore, at the outset, let us submit to the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2) who has promised the Holy Spirit to be guided in the truth (John 16:13). 

The enigmatic nature of Jesus’ response (to Mother Mary) could be witnessed in His conversation with others too. For instance, in his statements to Nicodemus (John 3:1-8) and the Samaritan woman (John 4:10-14) Jesus opens the door of divine mysteries which otherwise would have remained inconceivable to carnal minds. At a deeper realm, the nature of such conversations demonstrate a perfect balance between Jesus’ human and divine nature. Jesus is seen using His human faculties to help, encourage, support and motivate mankind transformed from ‘natural man to spiritual man’ (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 2:14). This subscribes to Clement of Alexandria’s (AD 150-AD 215) statement, ….the Word of God became a man so that you might learn from a man how to become a god. 

The inseparable role of Mother Mary in the earthly ministry of Lord Jesus Christ is clearly visible in the gospel of Saint John where we see Mother Mary physically present from the beginning (John 2:1) till the end (John 19:25). Moreover, the role of Mother Mary is extended to be included in the ministry of the Apostles. Hence Jesus handed her to his disciple and said Here is your mother (John 19:27). This verse continues saying From that time on, the disciple took her into his home. The tradition of the church has it that, ever since, Mother Mary was a key and respectful figure in the ministry of the Apostles until her death. This traditional ascription of a ‘status’ to Mother Mary continues ever since in the Orthodox Church, her role being elevated to an intercessor. More importantly, at the beginning of the Great Lent, her words Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5) clearly demonstrates the Mother’s spiritual guidance helping us to be transformed as the children of resurrection (Luke 20:36). 

The (six) stone water jars (standing nearby) were customary to the Jewish tradition, and were meant for purification (John 2:6). Jesus re-interpreted the Jewish purification process by taking those present through a spiritual journey of first asking to fill the jars with the same water that they had always been using, and then to draw the same water out which was transformed by His word. Jesus’ statement You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you (John 15:3) underpins the church’s faith, tradition and rituals firmly rooted in the word of God. The stone jars were standing there for ages but had never produced wine. However, when the word of God was pronounced the water that they were holding immediately turned into wine.  This discernment prompts us to humble ourselves during this Great Lent that we are just earthen vessels and need divine guidance from the Holy Church enriched with the word of God. Saint Paul reminds us of the need for this humility when he said, But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us (2 Corinthians 4:7). 

The Great Lent in the Orthodox Church begins with an official ‘Shubkono’ (reconciliation/forgiveness) service, during which we humble ourselves and seek reconciliation with our fellow beings through forgiving and forgetting. Once reconciled, we enter into a spiritual fellowship with other members in the body of Christ to forge unity to fight against Satan and his army. Saint Paul continued, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; prosecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).  These verses reflect how our Lenten journey would look like. In simple terms, Saint Paul’s statements in this section could be linked to the 40 days of tough fight against Satan, before the beginning of which reconciliation and unity with our brethren, and forging of unity is essential. No matter how beautiful and strong the earthen vessel is, only unity and nothing else can deliver a strong blow to Satan.  

The spiritual transformation of mankind was the primary purpose of Jesus’ ministry. The transformation of water into wine as a sign at the start of His ministry signals the beginning of something ‘new’. Isaiah prophesied this new beginning and said Remember not the former things, nor consider things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth….(Isaiah 43: 18-19). This vision was validated by none other than the Son of God, in the revelation to Saint John, Behold, I am making all things new (Revelations 21:5). Isaiah’s prophecy (43:18) could be seen fulfilled when the master of the banquet called the bridegroom and said Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk, But you have saved the fine wine until now (John 2:10). As a matter of fact, the fine wine was only served from the cross of our Lord, after which He said It is finished (John 19:30). It is spiritually enthralling to see that Jesus received the cheap wine on the cross (John 19:30) and gave back the fine wine (His blood) to mankind before concluding His mission on earth. 

As soon as Jesus uttered the last words It is finished (John 19:30), the kingdom of Satan was rocked and shattered by the blood (new wine) of Jesus Christ. This was the beginning of the realisation of transformation for mankind. The new fine wine that dismantled the demonic stronghold was manifested on the day of Pentecost when suddenly from heaven there came a sound of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit….(Acts 2:1-4). The transformation that started at Cana and finished on the cross was first experienced by mankind on the day of the Pentecost. This was witnessed by thousands, including those who were still under the influence of demons who sneered and said They are filled with new wine (Acts 2:13). The clear surrender of Satan to the ‘transformation’ is clearly reflected in this statement. This helpless statement reminds us of the lamentation of the Pharisees among themselves You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him (John 12:19). 

The power of transformation is clearly reflected in the Pharisaic lamentation and the demonic sneering. The Great Lent enables us to achieve this transformation and prevail over the gates of Hades (Matthew 16:18). In order to achieve this power we need  to unite with the spiritual world where we have Mother Mary, the disciples and our fore-fathers, and with this world where we have our brethren and fellow citizens. This tripartite agreement and unification is the power that we acquire during this Great Lent- to fight and dismantle all demonic resistances and strongholds. Let us submit ourselves to the word of God so that Lord Jesus may transform us to a new life in Him. 

Wish you blessed Great Lent.

May God bless you. Amen.

In His service

Fr Dr Saji K. Mathew 

…since I am a virgin

Fr Dr Saji K Mathew2 Comments

Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin (Luke 1:34)

Day one of the Advent Lent marks the beginning of a 25 days journey culminating in the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mother Mary was the entry point of the saviour to this world. As such, reception of the Lord at this entry point draws great significance. God has made human beings with a free-will. It means human beings have the freedom of choice to make decisions that they deem right or wrong. Mother Mary as a human being was not an exception to this. She could outrightly reject the announcement of a pregnancy outside the wedlock. Apparently, Mother Mary did not do so but wholeheartedly submitted herself to the will of God to be accepted and conceived in her womb. 

Though the spiritual discourse about faith is conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), Mother Mary could not accept what angel Gabriel communicated to her about the spiritual conception, and hence sought further clarification. There is a prima facie double standard exhibited by angel Gabriel in a similar situation as we read in Luke 1: 20, when Zechariah the priest asked how will I know that this is so? (Luke 1:18). One may ask why Zechariah the priest was punished whereas Mother Mary was extended a patient hearing. The answer to this question could be found in angel Gabriel’s statement. He said, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God (Luke 1:19). The expansion of this statement leads us to look into Zechariah’s position. He was the priest of God, and, like angel Gabriel, he also stood in the presence of God. Hence, Zechariah should have known that as a priest, he is a responsible receptor of God’s message and shall convey it to the people of God. It could then be genuinely asked, if the representative of God is unable to believe in God’s promises, how would he be able to carry and deliver the same to the people of God.  

As Zechariah stood in the presence of God, he did not need a confirmation of God’s voice. As an honest and committed priest, Zechariah could have easily discerned the angel as his co or fellow being in the service of God. The doubt expressed by the priest of God unveils his inability to feel the presence of God as well as see his fellow beings who also stood in God’s presence. 

The punishment awarded by angel Gabriel was an eye opener for Zechariah. He possibly learned for the first time in his life that priesthood is not just inherited but a profession called by name (Isaiah 43:1). The words and deeds of a priest need to be aligned to his spiritual discernment received as a grace when he stands in the presence of God. Jesus said Let your words be Yes, Yes or No, No; anything more than this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:37). On the contrary, Zechariah is seen applying his rationalist mind and questioning his fellow servant in Lord, angel Gabriel. The overwhelming of one’s spirit by his/her mind could result in a random and thoughtless response than a spiritually guided one. Hence, Saint Paul exhorts the faithful en-masse to redirect their tongue to thanksgiving: Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4). Zechariah could better make use of the situation to thank God when he received the most precious gift that he was actually seeking ever since his marriage with Elizabeth.

Mother Mary’s question, how can this be, since I am a virgin is not just an innocent question but a cautious response. Unlike Zechariah who had the privilege to stand in the presence of the Lord, Mother Mary was a layperson. However, her status in the lower hierarchy of ranks was not an excuse for abstaining from the discernment of the scripture, as evident from the below paragraph. Saint Paul later cautioned in Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed. 

There is  insufficient ground to blame Mother Mary for not outrightly accepting the message conveyed through angel Gabriel. Neither can she be blamed for asking a question in this case. The justification for the Mother’s question could be found in an incident that provoked God to anger- When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose Genesis 6:1-2. Please note, the Hebrew tradition identifies the sons of God as angels (also see Job 1:6; 2:1 & 38:7). 

If Mother Mary had suspected the intention of the angel or tried to confirm that the message was true indeed, it only confirms her familiarity with the scripture. Moreover, the Mother’s query could be accepted as something that could be emulated in a world struggling to distinguish between true and fake messages. In a world where the preference is for leadership over followership, there is increased competition among the corporate churches to attract followers in quantity over quality. The tactic used to multiply is unfortunately faked messages that feed itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3). As a result, the discourse has vastly shifted from a ‘witnessing’ church to a balance-sheet based church, thus nullifying the “Great Commission” – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20). 

Mother Mary’s question to angel Gabriel represents the witnessing church needing confirmation- that the message is truly from God. Saint John exhorts, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…..(1 John 4:1). In line with the Genesis 6:1-2 tragedy, Saint Paul further cautions, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). 

Unlike the way how angel Gabriel dealt with Zechariah, Mother Mary was treated with compassion. We read the detailed explanation of the angel, ….the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…(Luke 1;35). The true body of Christ (the church) should experience and witness the shadow of the Most High and the brooding of the Holy Spirit, both undoubtedly absent from a balance-sheet oriented church. Unlike the latter, a witnessing church will be devoid of marketing gimmicks, beats of heavy metals (music), las-vegas style lightings, and demonstration of human powers. Instead, there will only be a sound of sheer silence (1 Kings 19:12). In fact, Mount Horeb could be interpreted as a shadow or prototype of a true church. Prophet Elijah misunderstood the strong mountain splitting and rock shattering wind as the arrival of God (1 Kings 19:11), but was proved wrong. He was again wrong interpreting the earthquake and fire as the Lord’s arrival (1 Kings 19;11-12).

The arrival of Messiah was awaiting a heroic welcome from the people of God. The latter wanted their national and community pride kindled with an earth shattering entry mode of the Messiah as is stated in Isaiah 64: 1-2 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence- as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 

To the disappointment of many, none of those things happened. Instead a trusted lieutenant was sent to an innocent virgin. Unlike a pompous summit or a red carpet visit to the hall of fame, the entire meeting took just a few minutes which silently marked the end of an age and the beginning of a new era for the world. Interesting and noteworthy is the brief exchange between the angel and Mother Mary that encompassed the greatest question ever asked (how can this be, since I am a virgin) and the answer to it which communicated the most powerful of all the words (Holy Spirit and Most High).  

May God bless you. Amen.