ACC ~ John 2 v4

JESUS ALWAYS HONORED HIS MOTHER

CHRYSOSTOM: We know from the Gospel of St. Luke that Jesus greatly honored his mother since he tells us that Jesus was subject to his parents. [1] … For where parents throw no obstacle in the way of God’s commands, it is our duty to be subject to them. But when they demand anything at an unseasonable time or cut us off from spiritual things, we should not be deceived into compliance. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 21.2. [2]

[1] Lk 2:51.

[2] NPNF 1 14:74**.

GOD DOES NOT NEED REMINDING

AMMONIUS: He chides his mother for having importunely reminded God, who has no need to be reminded of anything. It is as if he had said, “Do not regard me only as a man but also as God. Not yet has the time of my manifestation come. Not as yet is it known who I am.” FRAGMENTS ON JOHN 57. [1]

[1] JKGK 211.

JESUS’ REBUKE OF MARY EVIDENCES HIS DIVINITY

AUGUSTINE: Although the Evangelist himself mentions Jesus’ mother by her very name, Jesus nevertheless addresses her with the words “Woman, what have I to do with you?” But here he is not pushing her away from himself since he had received flesh from her. Rather, his purpose is to convey the conception of his divinity, which is especially appropriate at this time when he is about to change the water into wine. This is the divinity that had made that “woman” [Mary] rather than being made in her. HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 4.10.11. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 6:232**.

JESUS’ CONCERN IS WITH THE WINE OF OUR REDEMPTION

MAXIMUS OF TURIN: The most blessed Mary said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus answered as though he were displeased. “Woman,” he said, “is that my concern or yours?” It can hardly be doubted that these were words of displeasure. However, this I think was only because his mother mentioned to him so casually the lack of earthly wine, when he had come to offer the peoples of the whole world the new chalice of eternal salvation. By his reply, “My hour has not yet come,” he was foretelling the most glorious hour of his passion and the wine of our redemption, which would obtain life for all. Mary was asking for a temporal favor, but Christ was preparing joys that would be eternal. Nevertheless, the Lord in his goodness did not refuse this small grace while greater graces awaited. SERMON 23. [1]

[1] PL 57:274-75.

JESUS KNOWS TO WAIT FOR THE HOUR FOREKNOWN BY THE FATHER

IRENAEUS: With [Jesus], nothing is incomplete or done at the wrong time, just as with the Father there is nothing haphazard. The Lord checked Mary’s untimely haste when she was urging him to perform the wonderful miracle of the wine and wanting him to partake of the cup, which would have so much emblematic significance later on. This is why he said, “Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour is not yet come”—waiting for the hour that was foreknown by the Father. AGAINST HERESIES 3.16.7. [1]

[1] SC 211:314; ANF 1:443**.

CRUCIFIXION IS THE HOUR YET TO COME

AUGUSTINE: There is… nothing that would compel us to deny the mother of the Lord occasioned by the words spoken by him, “Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour is not yet come.” [1] Rather, he admonishes us to understand that, in respect of his being God, there was no mother for him. [When he spoke to her] it was as he was preparing to demonstrate of his personal majesty [2] in the turning of water into wine. But as regards his being crucified, he was crucified in respect of his being man. And that was the hour that had not come as yet. ON FAITH AND THE CREED 4.9. [3]

THE CREATOR OF TIME IS NOT SUBJECT TO TIME

ROMANUS MELODUS:

But Christ, seeing His mother saying, “Grant me this request,”

At once said to her: “What do you wish, woman, my hour has not come.”

Certain men made use of this saying as a pretext for impiety;

They said that Christ submitted to necessity,

They said that He was a slave to periods of time. [4] …

“Now answer, my child,” said the all-holy mother of Christ,

“Thou who dost control with measurement the periods of time, how, my son and Lord, dost Thou await a time?

Thou who hast regulated the division of the seasons, how dost thou await a season?

Thou who art the creator of the visible and the invisible,

Thou who, as master, dost day and night regulate

The ceaseless revolutions, as Thou dost will them—

Thou who hast defined the years in beautifully ordered cycles—

How, then, dost Thou await a time for the miracle which I ask of Thee

Who hast in wisdom created all things?”

“I knew before you told me, revered Virgin, that the wine was just beginning to give out for them,”

The Ineffable and Merciful straightway answered His holy mother.

“I know all the concerns of your heart which you set in motion in this matter;

For within yourself you reasoned as follows:

’Necessity now summons my son to a miracle,

And He puts it off under the pretext of “the time.” ’

Holy mother, learn now the meaning of the delay,

For when you know it, I shall grant you this favor,

I, who in wisdom have created all things.

KONTAKION ON THE MARRIAGE AT CANA 7.10-12. [5]

THERE IS A PROPER ORDER TO ALL THINGS

ROMANUS MELODUS:

“At the time when I brought forward Heaven and Earth and all things from a state of nonexistence,

I would have been quite able at that time to arrange in order at once all that I had produced;

But I introduced a certain well-regulated order.

Creation was accomplished in six days—

Not that I did not have the power,

But in order that the chorus of angels, seeing what I did, each deed in turn,

Would deify me, singing a hymn: ’Glory to Thee, Powerful One,

Who hast in wisdom created all things.’…

“Mark what I say, holy one; for at this time I was willing first

To announce to the Israelites and to teach them the hope of faith,

In order that in the presence of miracles they might learn thoroughly who has sent me,

And that they might know with certainty the glory of my Father,

And his will, for He desires that in every way

I be glorified along with Him by all.

For what He who engendered me has done, these things I also do,

Since I am consubstantial with Him and His Spirit,

I, who have in wisdom created all things.

“For if they had understood all these things at the time when they saw the awesome miracles,

They would understand that I am God before time, even though I have become man.

But now, contrary to order, before the teaching, you have asked for miracles;

And it is for this reason that I delayed a short time in answer to you:

If I was waiting for the time to perform miracles,

It was for this reason alone.

But, since it is necessary that parents be honored by their children,

I shall pay observance to you, Mother, for I am able to do all things,

I, who have in wisdom created all things.”

KONTAKION ON THE MARRIAGE AT CANA 7.13-16. [6]

[1] The Manichaeans used this passage to deny that Jesus had an earthly mother.

[2] Lat cuius majestatis personam.

[3] NPNF 1 3:325*; CSEL 41:12.

[4] The same objection is taken up by John of Damascus (PG 59:134).

[5] KRBM 1:71-72*.

[6] KRBM 1:72-73*.