Michael Brooks
Do whatever He tells you is a biblical phrase spoken by Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the Wedding Feast of Cana, as told in John 2:5. These words are interpreted as a command of love and obedience, inviting all to stay faithful through all struggles and to follow the will of God. Mary is seen as a powerful maternal figure in the Catholic Church, and her words are believed to have led to the first miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. This phrase is often reflected upon as a guiding principle for Catholics, encouraging trust in Jesus and surrender to His plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mary's words | "Do whatever He tells you" |
| Mary's role | Mother of God, Mother of Jesus, Blessed Mother, Our Mother |
| Mary's qualities | Trust, faith, surrender, obedience, discipleship, advocacy |
| Jesus' qualities | Sovereignty, goodness, righteousness, power to act |
| Context | Wedding Feast of Cana, Jesus' first miracle |
| Biblical references | John 2:3-5, Luke 1:34, 38 |
| Application | Trust in God's plan, follow His will, spread the Gospel |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mary's intercession
In the Gospel of John, Mary notices that the wine has run out at the wedding and brings this to Jesus' attention. Despite his initial reluctance, Mary persists in her advocacy and instructs the servants to "do whatever he tells you". This results in Jesus' first miracle, turning water into wine. Mary's role in this story is significant as it demonstrates her ability to intercede with her son and connect people to his miracles.
Catholics often pray to Mary, asking for her intercession and petitioning her to pray for them. This practice is sometimes misunderstood as worshipping Mary, but Catholics clarify that they do not worship her as a goddess. Instead, they honour and love her as their mother and believe that speaking to her is an aspect of prayer. They believe that Mary and the saints in heaven are alive and can hear their prayers, but only with God's permission.
While some may question the need for Mary's intercession, Catholics believe that asking for her prayers is different from worshipping her as a goddess or seeing her as a way to salvation. They view Mary as an advocate and intermediary who can help them encounter Christ and grow closer to Him. Mary's intercession is a powerful and beloved aspect of Catholic devotion, with many Catholics having a deep devotion to her.
Catholics and Cremation: What's the Church's View?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Mary Day by Day: Marian Meditations for Every Day Taken from the Holy Bible and the Writings of the Saints [Imitation Leather] Fehrenbach, Charles G](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814JOrCvxeL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Wedding Feast of Cana
During the feast, the wine runs out, and Jesus' mother notices the situation and takes action. She approaches Jesus and says, "They have no wine" (John 2:3). Jesus initially responds with a hint of reluctance, saying, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4). However, his mother persists and turns to the servants, instructing them with the now-famous words, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5).
Obeying Jesus' mother, the servants follow Jesus' instructions to fill large stone jars with water. Jesus then tells them to draw out some of the water and take it to the master of the feast. When the master tastes the water-turned-wine, he is amazed by its quality, unaware of its miraculous origin. He remarks to the bridegroom that the best wine has been saved for last, breaking with the usual custom of serving the finest wine first.
The miracle at Cana holds profound significance for Catholics. It highlights the intercessionary role of Mary, the Mother of God, who advocates for the newlywed couple and expresses her faith in her son's ability to provide a solution. Her instruction, "Do whatever he tells you," has become a guiding principle for Catholics, encouraging obedience to God and trust in His plan. This event also underscores the importance of matrimony, as Jesus' presence at the wedding feast sanctifies the institution of marriage.
Catholic Social Teaching: Addressing Homelessness
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mary's trust in Jesus
Mary's statement, "Do whatever He tells you", is thus an invitation to trust in Jesus' sovereignty and authority. It reflects her recognition of His divine power and her belief that He will act for the betterment of all. By instructing the servants to follow Jesus' lead, she facilitated His first miracle, turning water into wine. This episode serves as a lesson for Catholics, encouraging them to emulate Mary's trust and surrender to God's will, even when faced with challenges or uncertainties.
Mary's role as an intercessor and advocate for others is also significant. At the Wedding Feast of Cana, she interceded on behalf of the couple, bringing their need to Jesus' attention. In doing so, she demonstrated her belief in Jesus' ability to provide solutions and her desire to bring others closer to Him. This role as an intercessor extends beyond the Wedding Feast, as Catholics continue to invoke her as an advocate, seeking her assistance in encountering Christ and understanding His will.
Mary's example of trusting Christ and surrendering to His will is a guiding principle for Catholics. By following her instruction to "Do whatever He tells you", believers are invited to embrace obedience and faithfulness, trusting that God's plans are ultimately for their good and the fulfilment of His promises. This trust in Jesus' sovereignty and authority forms the foundation of a life centred on Christ and is a testament to Mary's enduring influence on Catholic teachings and practices.
Satan's Worldly Rule: Catholic Insights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mary's recognition of God's voice
At the wedding, Mary noticed that the wine had run out. Understanding who could address the situation, she turned to her son, Jesus, and simply stated the problem: "They have no wine" (John 2:3). Jesus initially responded with a hint of rebuke, questioning how the situation concerned him, as his "hour had not yet come" (John 2:4). However, Mary persisted, recognising that Jesus had the power to act and trusting that he would ultimately do what was good and right.
Mary's faith and surrender to God's plan are evident in her reply to the Angel Gabriel's message that she would be the Mother of God. She asked, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" (Luke 1:34). Her question did not stem from rebellion but from a sincere desire to understand how God's plan would unfold. Mary's trust in God's will is further demonstrated in her unconditional "Yes" to His plan, as expressed in her words, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
By saying, "Do whatever He tells you", Mary advocated for Jesus and expressed her profound trust in His ability to resolve the situation at the wedding. Her words were an invitation for the servants to witness and partake in Jesus' first miracle, as recorded in John 2:11, where he turned water into wine. Mary's recognition of God's voice and her surrender to His will continue to inspire Catholics to emulate her example of faithful discipleship.
Mary's intercession is often sought by Catholics as an advocate to Jesus, and she is believed to help lead people closer to her son. Her words, "Do whatever He tells you", serve as a powerful reminder for Catholics to follow God's voice and will in their lives, trusting in His sovereignty and goodness.
Catholics and Foster Care: A Complex Relationship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The glory of God
"Do whatever He tells you" are words spoken by Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the Wedding Feast of Cana, as told in John 2:5. These words are a powerful testament to Mary's faith and trust in her son, Jesus, and his divine mission. They also serve as a guiding principle for Catholics, encouraging obedience to God and trust in His plan.
Mary, as a devoted mother, recognised a problem at the wedding—the wine had run out. She brought this issue to Jesus, knowing that He could address it. Despite Jesus' initial reluctance, Mary persevered and turned to the servants, instructing them to "do whatever He tells you." This set the stage for Jesus' first miracle, where He turned water into wine, demonstrating His divine power.
Mary's words at Cana hold a deeper meaning and significance for Catholics. They reflect her understanding of Jesus' role as the Son of God and her willingness to surrender to His will. By saying, "do whatever He tells you," Mary exemplifies the importance of obedience to God and trusting in His plan, even when it may be challenging to understand. This act of surrender is an essential aspect of Catholic faith, encouraging believers to recognise God's sovereignty and follow His commands.
Through Mary's intercession and advocacy, Catholics find a connection to Christ. As the Mother of God, she plays a pivotal role in leading others to her son, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. Her example at Cana teaches Catholics to recognise and embrace God's will, trusting that He will provide and act for the betterment of His people. This act of surrender and obedience brings glory to God and allows individuals to align their lives with His divine plan.
"Do whatever He tells you" serves as a guiding light for Catholics, encouraging them to emulate Mary's faith and trust. By following her example, Catholics can find purpose and meaning in their struggles and joys. This obedience to God's will, as demonstrated by Mary, is a path towards happiness in this life and eternal joy in heaven, bringing glory to God in the process.
Who Pays Catholic Bishops and How Much?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
"Do whatever He tells you" are the words spoken by Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the Wedding Feast of Cana, as told in John 2:5. Mary said this to the servants after she noticed that the wine had run out and told her son, Jesus, about the problem. These words are significant as they show Mary's trust in her son and her recognition of his sovereignty.
"Do whatever He tells you" teaches Catholics about the importance of obedience and trust in God. It encourages Catholics to surrender their own plans and allow God to be the master of their lives, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty.
Mary's role as an advocate for Jesus is evident in her actions at the Wedding Feast of Cana. She noticed a problem and brought it to Jesus, advocating for those in need. However, she did not tell Jesus what to do or how to fix the problem. Instead, she trusted that he would do what is good and right. Mary's advocacy for Jesus and her words, "Do whatever He tells you," encourage Catholics to encounter Christ and follow his guidance.
