Hajja Salesjana May June 2017

25 the miracle at the urging of his Mother, who was concerned for the needs of the guests. Meditating upon this passage of Scripture down the ages, the Church has come to understand that the confident words which Mary spoke to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you, ” (Jn. 2, 5) are a mysterious indication of Mary’s unique maternal role in the entire economy of Christ’s grace . As a mother, ‘Mary places herself between her Son and mankind in the reality of their wants, needs and sufferings’. (John Paul II, Redemptoris Mater, n. 21). Out of loving concern for others, she brings all mankind’s needs within the radius of Christ’s saving power.” (John Paul II, Homily at Ta’ Pinu National Shrine, Gozo-Malta, 26 May 1990, n. 3) Here the pope had quoted Redemptoris Mater an encyclical letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the Pilgrim Church. In the encyclical, the Polish Saint underlined two aspects of how Mary helps us out, namely: 1. She puts herself “in the middle,” that is to say she acts as mediatrix not as an outsider, but in her position as mother. She knows that as such she can point to her Son the needs of mankind, and in fact, she “has the right” to do so. Her mediation is thus in the nature of intercession: Mary “interceded” for mankind. And that is not all. As a mother she also wishes the messianic power of her Son to be manifested, that salvific power of his which is meant to help man in his misfortunes, to free him from the evil which in various forms and degrees weighs heavily upon his life (...) 2. Another essential element of Mary’s maternal task is found in her words to the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.” The Mother of Christ presents herself as the spokeswoman of her Son’s will , pointing out those things which must be done so that the salvific power of the Messiah may be manifested (Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Mater, 25 March 1987, n. 21) Elements of an authentic attitude in asking God’s help What Mary did in Cana could serve as a paradigm for our thinking, feeling and acting whenever we might need God’s help in our needs. Namely: First one should not be scared to ask for God’s help . Scripture urges us to do so. “My child, when you are ill, do not rebel, but pray to the Lord and he will heal you” (Sir. 38, 9). Moreover “large numbers of the sick approached Jesus during his public ministry, either directly or through friends and relatives, seeking the restoration of health. The Lord welcomes their requests and the Gospels contain not even a hint of reproach for these prayers.” (Instruction on Prayers for healing, 14 September 2000, n. 2) Secondly , one has to be always willing to surrender to the will of God , as Christ himself did in front of his cross. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want” (Mt. 26, 39). Continue relying on Mary’s motherly protection and care “How often, in your families, do you feel powerless in the face of painful and apparently insoluble situations? How many people find it a constant struggle to forgive longstanding grudges, or to overcome deeply-rooted feelings of anger, hostility, jealousy or resentment? How many people desperately long for someone they love to abandon a way of life or a course of action which they know will only lead to frustration and unhappiness? And how frequently do our hearts go out to someone who is caught up in the toils of mental anguish or bitter grief which knows no consolation? At moments like these, should we not trust in Mary’s loving intercession, confident that the most hopeless situations can be transformed by the saving power of Jesus , who in answer to her request turned water into wine, who died on the Cross that we might live forever?” (...) For this reason, I encourage all of you to pray constantly (Cfr. Tessalonians 5, 17), especially within your families, in humble thanksgiving for everything that God in his goodness has done for you. Ask him every day to help you to remain faithful to the vocation which he has given you in Christ! Do not be afraid to bring before him all your hopes, your needs and concerns. (John Paul II, Homily at Ta’ Pinu National Shrine, Gozo-Malta, 26 May 1990, n. 4)