A Reflection on Mary’s obedience, humility and nothingness (Br David Arulanatham)

From the beginning till the end,

Mary was there in obedience and in all humility, in her nothingness
and so God was able to work with her….
what about you and me……?

His mother said to the servants,” Do whatever he tells you”…
There were six stone jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary for the Jews; each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim. Then he said to them,” Draw some out now…………… it had turned to wine.

The Wedding at Cana; John 2:1-12.

Stone water jars (for ablution) or wine barrels?

If they had run out of wine then there must empty wine barrels around but why doesn’t Jesus use them instead of the jars that was meant for ablution.



Near the Cross of Jesus stood his mother…….. Seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, this is your son.” Then to the disciple he said, “This is your mother.”…..

Jesus and His Mother; John 19:25 -27

How was it for Mary, to see her son dying on the cross to accept another man to be her son as a replacement? Are you able to replace something or someone so very close to your heart all for the glory of God?




It seems that by the using of the empty ablution jars the message that is sent across is whoever you are, whatever you are however you are it is only when you empty yourself in all humility like the empty ablution jars will I your God be able to work with you through the Holy Spirit who is always with you. It is then; you find your identity in me. It is only when you are able to let go off the world and your dearest, like Mary letting go of her whole life to conceive the precious Jesus and then letting go of precious Jesus in Calvary that you and I will be able to embrace all that is given to us in faith, hope, trust and love. This is the reality of the struggle of each one of us, to let go, to attain holiness, it is difficult but persevere……

Let Go, Let God!

my soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
He looks on my nothingness
henceforth all generation will call me Blessed
the Almighty has done great things for me
Holy is His name
His mercy is from age to age

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Stay tuned for the next post by Br Joseph Zhang on 17th May 2010.