Mother, please . . .

AM Psalm 41, 52 • PM Psalm 44
Deut. 8:11-20 • Heb. 2:11-18 • John 2:1-12

Like many small burghs throughout the U.S., social life in my little hometown in West Virginia focused on high school sports. Growing up in the late 50s and early 60s, I never much doubt about what I would do on a Friday night—I would go to a game.

When I was a lad, the high school basketball team was quite good, and games at the gym would draw big crowds. One of the stars in the years from 1961 through 1964 was a young fellow named Jack. (I’d better not use last names! Jack and his family were distant cousins of mine through my maternal grandmother’s side of the family.) Jack was an outstanding player, scoring 1223 points during his four years as a starter. What's more, he was quite modest—there was nothing “show-boaty” about his game. He was the epitome of modesty.

Hoo-boy, not so with his mother, Frona Mae. Whenever the team went on the offense, a screech nearing 20,000 decibels (okay, I exaggerate) would emanate from Frona Mae: “Give the ball to Jackie!”

I always think of Frona Mae and Jackie when I read today’s gospel lesson from John. Here is Jesus at a very early stage in his ministry—he has been baptized by John the Baptist, and he has just begun to call his disciples—when he ends up at a wedding in Cana, accompanied by his mother. The guests consume all the celebratory wine, and Mary, in an indirect order, prompts Jesus to take action: “they have run out of wine.” Jesus tries to brush her off, claiming that “my time has not yet come.” His mother won’t hear of it: “Do whatever he tells you,” she says to the servants. And, of course, Jesus obeys his mom and converts the contents of six large vessels from water into top-quality wine.

Her ostentatiousness notwithstanding, I praise God when I think of Frona Mae at the basketball games—and also Mary at the wedding in Cana. Isn’t it within a mother’s purview to be proud of her son? Don’t we all wish for our mother to be so visibly—and audibly--proud of us and wish us success—though perhaps with a bit less vigor?

Written by David Jolliffe

At St. Paul’s, David sings in the choir, helps to deliver groceries to those in need, and helps to coordinate the Morning Reflections program.