2/11/2014 – Our Lady of Lourdes – John 2:1-11

      On December 8, 1854, over 150 years ago, Pope Pius IX announced the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception to the world.   Only 3 years later, the apparition of a young girl appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubrious in Lourdes, France, identifying herself with these words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”   Through this apparition of the Virgin Mary to this young girl in France, the Blessed Mother revitalized the faith of millions of believers, which she continues to do to this day.  The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was officially declared by the Church in 1907, as we continue to honor the Virgin Mary with this feast on February 11 to this day.

     Each year, more than 6 million pilgrims, including than half a million from North America, travel to Lourdes.  Many of these pilgrims are sick and poor, as they come to Lourdes for healing and comfort, for a spiritual encounter with not only Mary, but with her son.  Today, we hear the familiar story of the Wedding at Cana, the start of Christ’s earthly ministry.   Mary comes to Jesus on behalf of the bride and groom, just as Mary intercedes for us with her son.  Mary tells the servers – “Do whatever he tells us to do.”  Mary also wants us to have the same attitude, as we listen to the authority of Jesus to direct our lives. Sometimes we might want something specific from Jesus, but just as the pilgrims who come to Lourdes may want some specific form of healing from him as well.  However, in our hearts, we are called to realize that we may not get the exact form of healing we seek from God.  Yet, we might ask ourselves if we have the faith and courage to trust in God and to ask him to heal us, if we are as tenacious and courageous as many of the pilgrims who travel to Lourdes. Through the example of those pilgrims who act of their faith, and through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, may we trust in God and have faith in his ability to heal us and guide us along our journey.