Vol. 17, No. 1, January, 2012

The Way to Become a Disciple of Jesus
by Sr. Brigid Meierotto, S.N.C.

In this teaching, we will accept the word of God, the Scriptures, into our hearts and minds, letting them give light to us. The Scriptures are the inspired word of God which has the power to accomplish what it says, for us. Yes, for us, right here, right now. The Scripture we are reflecting upon is John 2:1-12. Read this passage slowly, prayerfully. As you read the Scripture, in your heart ask the Holy Spirit to explain to you the message that the Lord has for you personally. Do not doubt that the Lord Jesus will do this for you, because that is why he came, so that you can get to know and to love Jesus. "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" ( John 14:25f ). Tell the Holy Spirit what you expect from him...something like this: "Holy Spirit, Jesus said that you would teach me all things and I believe him. Teach me to always render to Jesus what is his! Teach me to love Jesus with my whole heart, giving him praise and adoration with every breath -- teach me that the love of Jesus conquers all! Thank you, 0 Holy Spirit."

John writes that on the third day, there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee. What does this third day mean? What happened on the first day and what happened on the second day? There must be some relationship between these three days. Earlier in chapter one, verse 35, John writes that John (the Baptist) was standing with two of his disciples and he looked at Jesus as he walked and said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" John's two disciples heard this and they followed Jesus. One of these two was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Andrew wasted no time finding Simon and bringing him to Jesus who looked at Simon and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (Peter). So on this first day, three men become Jesus' disciples: Andrew and his brother Peter, and the other man who was John the Baptist's disciple.

On the second day, chapter one, verse 43, Jesus decides to go to Galilee. Here he finds Philip and says to him, "Follow me." Philip knows Andrew and Peter, being from the same town. Now Philip finds Nathanael and tells him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael doesn't think much of Nazareth, but Jesus saw him coming and said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael is shocked and says, "How do you know me?" Jesus answers, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael proclaims, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" On this second day, two more men follow Jesus and become his disciples, Philip and Nathanael,

We come now to the third day, chapter two, verse 1 and learn that there is a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus is there. Also, her son Jesus was invited, and not only Jesus, but also his disciples, five of whom we have just met on the first and second day. This is very important, because of what is going to happen on this third day. Jesus' disciples need to be pre-sent for this event. We find out in chapter 2, verse 3, that the wine runs out! The mother of Jesus says to him, "They have no wine." That's all she says to Jesus. Jesus responds in quite a negative way, asking his mother what she has to do with him. Jesus explains, "My hour has not yet come."

But Jesus' mother seems to ignore what he has said, and she says to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Imagine! She knew her son! There were six stone water jars there and Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." They filled them to the brim and Jesus told them to draw some out and take it to the steward of the feast. He tasted the water now become wine and called the bridegroom, saying, "Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."

This is the miracle at Cana in Galilee. In verse 11 of chapter 2, John explains the importance of what has just occurred at this marriage feast: "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him."

From this Scripture we learn that becoming a disciple of Jesus requires most of all that I follow Jesus, that I be with Jesus in order that I experience the manifestation of his glory and that I believe in him.

In this event, the mother of Jesus teaches us how we can become a disciple of Jesus. She says to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Yes! I will be Jesus' faithful disciple as I live every day following Jesus, doing whatever he tells me.

Closing prayer: Thank you, Spirit of love, for teaching me how to become a disciple of Jesus! Continue to teach me about Jesus and about myself, my family, neighbors -- teach me to love! Thank you, 0 Holy Spirit. Now the prayer to Mary: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!"