Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It marks the first time that the Immaculate Virgin Mary appeared to the 14-year-old girl, Saint Bernadette. She would appear 18 more times. Saint Bernadette lived in an old dilapidated jail near the castle of Lourdes with her parents. The cramped, filthy conditions caused her health to deteriorate and she was always “sickly.” That’s probably why she succumbed to tuberculosis and died at the early age of thirty-five.
Saint Bernadette wrote about how she went down to the river and wanted to cross. Because of her wooden clogs, and her asthma, she was scared to do so. The sound of a rushing wind filled the air around her, yet nothing seemed to stir or blow. Then a beautiful lady appeared made the sign of the cross with Bernadette, and together they prayed the Rosary. After praying, Bernadette crossed the river with no fear and recounts to the other sisters that the water even seemed warm to her feet.
This event mirrors perfectly why we see Mary as the first, and most perfect of disciples to Jesus. In our Gospel for today, it’s Mary who notices a need. She is watching out for others first, with no concern for her own desires or comforts. When she sees that they are running out of wine, she immediately goes to her Son, asking Him to do something about it. Jesus’ response is less about Himself, and more out of concern for her. Do you realize what you are asking? Do you remember what Simeon said about a sword piercing your own soul? This sign you ask for begins the road to Calvary. Are you ready for that? Mary’s response to Jesus is telling. “Do whatever He tells you.” That’s the proper response of a disciple, to pick up our cross and follow Him.
With Saint Bernadette, we see Mary is still acting in the same way, true to her nature. Bernadette has a need. She can’t get across the water without causing herself pain and distress. Mary notices the need and she comes to her aid. Immediately they make the sign of the cross. In making the sign of the cross we are reminded that we are united to the body of Christ, to Jesus on the cross. The cross is a promise of redemption and resurrection. The proper response then is to pray, to take those needs to Jesus. Then to step out in faith, to cross the rivers that block our path, knowing that we are following Jesus. “Doing whatever he tells us to do,” even if we are afraid or it may be unpleasant.
Pope Pius the XII said: “In the school of Mary one can learn to live, not only to give Christ to the world, but also to await with faith the hour of Jesus, and to remain with Mary at the foot of the cross… Go to her, you who are crushed by material misery, defenseless against the hardships of life and the indifference of men. Go to her, you who are assailed by sorrows and moral trials. Go to her, beloved invalids and infirm, you who are sincerely welcomed and honored at Lourdes as the suffering members of our Lord. Go to her and receive peace of heart, strength for your daily duties, joy for the sacrifice you offer”.
Let’s do just that, to go where Mary points and she always points to Jesus. Let’s take some time today to reflect on that, maybe pray the Rosary, a meditation on the life of Christ. That we too might, without saying a word, point to Jesus with our lives saying “Do whatever He tells you.”
Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes: February 11th, 2021