 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri January 14, 2022 Sunday’s Gospel: The Wedding at Cana John 2:1-11  John 2:1-11 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come. “His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from, (although the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first. and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.  Jesus and his Mother I love this story. We have no idea who was getting married, but probably a close friend of the family, since Mary feels free to intervene when the servers run out of wine. This would have been a matter of shame for the family, since it was customary to express hospitality at such an event with a feast and with abundant wine…symbol of joy. Mary is aware of the sensitivity of the situation, and approaches Jesus. She didn’t have to say much. Jesus’ response is enigmatic. Some commentators have seen it as brusque, almost rude. Others found it more likely a teasing, familial response: “I’m not getting married (yet)! This isn’t our problem!” Perhaps Jesus simply meant to remind her that it was really not yet the time to reveal himself, which suggests that she had some idea about his intentions and plans. What really matters is how Mary responded to Jesus. Whatever his tone of voice, Mary knew her son. And she clearly wasn’t offended. Or put off. She saw a young couple about to be acutely embarrassed, and woman-like, wanted to prevent that. Ignoring Jesus’ words she speaks some of her own: “Do whatever he tells you.” A true Jewish mother, Mary is no passive, haloed, onlooker. And Jesus acquiesces. She didn’t know what he would do, but clearly she figured he would do something. It seems that the bride and groom didn’t have any idea what was going on, probably weren’t yet aware that anything was wrong. Mary wouldn’t have wanted them to know. Obviously, the steward didn’t know, either. Imagine the groom when the steward called to him, complimenting him on saving the best wine for last! And imagine the shock of the servants who knew they had taken the water they themselves had put in the jars up to the steward to drink. It would have been barely acceptable, even if disappointing, to serve water at this point. But the wedding party went on with all the wine they needed. “And his disciple believed in him.” Yeah. So did Mary. And she did before they did! She trusted her boy to fix what was wrong – before he had done a single “miracle.” This was the first of his “signs” – and the second will also take place in Cana, the home of his disciple, Nathaniel, in John 4:46-54. A wedding anniversary and a prayer concern Today is Ryan and Anna Williams’ 10th wedding anniversary. Congratulations! From the marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer, (page 429) comes this prayer: “Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.” Please continue to pray for Father Steve Wilson, who is on hospice in Carthage; and also for Melody Adams. You know she had heart surgery a while back; surgeons tried to do another procedure on Wednesday and she went into cardiac arrest. She is okay now, but it seems the issue is not operable, and will continue to deteriorate. She is peaceful and calm, as she always is, but I know she would appreciate your prayer. Weather Update It seems that our winter storms are only occurring on the weekends this year! Right ow it looks like we will get a few inches of wet snow on Saturday, high winds, and later in the evening, temperatures in the teens. This usually leads to ice – which is far more dangerous than snow. Be careful. And if we have to cancel (again) I will let you know in good time.  Isaiah 62:1-5 Why do you think this reading from Isaiah is paired with the story from the Gospel of John in this week’s lectionary? For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kinds your glory; and you shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called, “My Delight Is in Her” and your land, Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Not only is Israel called, “the son of God,” which is an expression full of love and pride, but also the spouse – the “bride of God,” over whom God rejoices. The relationship between God and God’s people is that intimate – that tender. Every Jewish marriage is intended to reflect and approximate that union between God and God’s people. And every Christian one, too. It’s an image which is taken up in the New Testament. We together, incorporated into Christ’s own Body, are indeed beloved children of God, heirs with Christ, but also, together, God’s beloved bride. Jesus isn’t “blessing marriage” by showing up for a wedding party. That’s silly. God had already blessed marriage. It’s a powerful image throughout the whole Bible. Jesus shows up because he’s not a stick-in-the-mud, not a super-pious guy who didn’t know how to enjoy his friends and family, or how to rejoice with those who rejoiced. He came because he was invited and he wanted to be there. There is no hint that he came to be the officiating rabbi, or “to do a miracle.” In fact, it’s clearly the opposite. But Mary’s words are the ones we might pay more attention to, even today, as we look around us. “Do whatever he tells you.” There is lots of need out there. Listen up (that may be the harder part) – and then do whatever he tells you. |
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