The Heartbreaking, Hidden Meaning of Mary Saying "Do Whatever He Tells You" at the Wedding at Cana

I was asked to write something that was guaranteed to make a person laugh or cry. The following always makes me tear up. 

I've had a lot of time to just sit and wonder on the floor on the Holy House of Nazareth. Writing these books with Fr. Donald Calloway -- Consecration to St. Joseph for Children & Families and 33 Days to the Holy Family -- has given me this opportunity. 

I've received a few, very special insights or glimpses into the family life of the Holy Family. Here's one of my favorites. 

What does Jesus do when St. Joseph dies?  

So, we know that St. Joseph died when Jesus was about 30 years old. Here is Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich's account of St. Joseph's death. 

This, alone, is hard for me to read without getting teary-eyed. If you've lost a parent, you'll know what I mean. 

Life of Jesus Christ [link to purchase on Amazon] by Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824), Vol 1, “31. Death of St. Joseph,” p. 330-331:

As the time drew near for Jesus to begin His mission of teaching, I saw Him ever more solitary and meditative; and toward the same time, the thirtieth year of Jesus, Joseph began to decline. I saw Jesus and Mary often with him. Mary sometimes sat on the ground by his couch, or upon a low, round three-legged stool, which served also for a table. I seldom saw them eating; but when they did, or brought some refreshment to Joseph's bedside, it consisted of three, white, rather long, four-cornered pieces, about two fingers in breadth, that lay side by side on a little plate, and I saw also some little fruits in a dish. They gave him something to drink out of a mug.

When Joseph was dying, Mary sat at the head of his bed, holding him in her arms. Jesus stood just below her near Joseph's breast. The whole room was brilliant with light and full of angels. After his death, his hands were crossed on his breast, he was wrapped from head to foot in a white winding sheet, laid in a narrow casket, and placed in a very beautiful tomb, the gift of a good man. Only a few men followed the coffin with Jesus and Mary; but I saw it accompanied by angels and environed with light. Joseph’s remains were afterward removed by the Christians to Bethlehem, and interred. I think I can still see him lying there incorrupt.

Joseph had of necessity to die before the Lord, for he could not have endured His Crucifixion; he was too gentle, too loving …

He was "too gentle, too loving". Those words always ring in my ears.

Now, that's why we call him the "Patron of a Happy Death". St. Joseph was surround by his family, by Jesus and Mary, no less, at his death. And he had angels as pall bearers.

How Did Jesus and Mary React to St. Joseph's Death?

Is there a moment in Scripture when we see Jesus and Mary grieving St. Joseph's death? There ought to be, right? 

As the highest-ranking descendant of King David, St. Joseph passed an earthly crown to his Son. You can read more on that here ... 

But what effect did His father's death personally have on Jesus? 

It's no coincidence that Jesus' public ministry begins upon the death of His father. Anyone who has experienced the death of his father understands this passing of the torch. It's our turn, now. It's our responsibility. Honor your fathers by increasing their legacy. 

Where Does "Do Whatever He Tells You" Come From?

If your dad was named Arnold Schwarzenegger, what would he say when leaving for work in the morning? 

"I'll be back." 

Or maybe ... "Hasta la vista, baby!"

... So what if your Hebrew and your dad's name was Joseph?  

St. Joseph bore the name of Joseph of Egypt, the favorite son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, who rose through the ranks of the Egyptian hierarchy to be Pharoah's right-hand man. One of the greatest patriarchs of the Old Testament. 

Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, adopted Joseph into his own family, so that he was regarded as a son of Pharaoh. Joseph was given great authority. Pharaoh “made him lord of his house and prince of all his possessions” (Psalm 105:21). 

Joseph was placed in charge of all the granaries of Egypt. Egypt, at that time, was considered the bread basket of the world, providing bread to all the world. Joseph correctly interprets Pharaoh's dreams, revealing that seven years of abundance of grain in Egypt would be followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:28-32). Joseph, being a wise servant, prepared for the famine. Joseph “store up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure” (Gen 41:49). 

When the famine struck, Pharaoh instructed all of Egypt: “Go to Joseph (“Ite ad Ioseph!”) and do whatever he tells you!” (Gen 41:55).

Just as Joseph protected the bread of the world, St. Joseph protected the bread from heaven, the life of the world.

Now ... Why Does Mary Say "Do Whatever He Tells You"? 

When the boy Jesus would have a problem that Mary could not solve, what would Mary say? 

"Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you."  

At the Wedding at Cana, they come to Mary and say there is no more wine. 

But St. Joseph is gone. He has passed away, borne away by the angels.

So what does Mary say now?

Go to Jesus, and "do whatever he tells you." 

Mary changes that intimate household phrase of Nazareth. The torch passes from father to Son.     

In this hidden moment between mother and son, they acknowledge their grief -- grief for was has been and for what is coming.   

These are also Mary's last words in Scripture: "Do whatever He tells you." 

More on St. Joseph and the Holy Family ...

St. Joseph was silent in Scripture, right? Didn't say a word. Was completely silent, right? Actually, no. St. Joseph said exactly one word in the Bible. Did you catch it? 

Was St. Joseph an old man or a young man? Here's actual, Biblical proof of his exact age range:

Why does Jesus have two different genealogies in Matthew and Luke? And what does this have to tell us about the great dignity of adoption?

This one might be a little heartbreaking, too ...

And ... 

Where did the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker come from? St. Joseph, Hammer of Communists: The Anti-Communist Origins of the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker:

 

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