Our son came home for a visit this past weekend. He came home… not with a duffle bag full of laundry as he has in the past… but with a friend-girl. In case you do not know what that means, she is a friend who happens to be a girl. He swears there is no romance, but there sure was a lot of laughing and looks, so I am thinking that God has other plans! Anyway, as Friday evening wore on, we all were sitting around telling stories. I told several baby stories that I knew would embarrass him… it is what moms do! I shared about the time when he was in the 3rd grade and we were once more arguing about his doing his homework. The argument lasted longer than it would have taken him to do it, but he mistakenly thought that he was going to worm his way out of getting it done. After he finally gave in and went upstairs, it only took 3 minutes for him to come halfway down the stairs, look over the railing and say, “You know, there should be laws against making young boys do homework and not play!”
So, I did what any mother would do. I gave him THE LOOK. You guys know what I mean. The look that only a mother can give that lets whatever child is in the room doing whatever a mother would not want him or her to do. To stop in mid step! The look strikes fear in any child’s heart! I always saved mine for dire situations. Like when I needed to send a silent warning that my son was very close to eternal time out.
I can see Mary giving Jesus that look in today’s gospel when he calls his mother “woman” and speaks to her in a seemingly agitated tone. She knew who Jesus was and the gift he had to offer. And she knew it was time. And so, she gave him that look that let him know exactly that.
The author of our gospel this morning has planted hints that the story of the wedding at Cana is to be read as more than a typical miracle story. The reference to Jesus’ “hour” in verse 4, for example, and to Jesus’s “glory” and “signs," and the “faith of his disciples” in verse 11 all point beyond the particulars of this story to themes of theological significance for the entire gospel. This is Jesus’ inaugural event at the beginning of his ministry. But while at the start, it reflects what is to come.
For example, our gospel reading begins with “On the third day…” This refers the reader back to this story taking place three days after Jesus calls his disciples. In chapter 1 Jesus encounters Phillip and says, “Follow me.” Likewise, he meets Andrew and Peter… and Phillip finds Nathanael. After Phillip proclaims that Jesus is the one written about by Moses, Nathaniel remarks, “Can anything good come from Nazareth? Phillip simply reasons, “Come and see.”
On the third day after calling his disciples and telling them to follow him, he begins his journey to Jerusalem… and to his death where on the 3rd day he will be glorified and fulfill God’s plan of life eternal.
And so, our gospel begins with the words ringing in his followers’ ears: Follow me. Come and see. And 3 days later, he gives a sign that he is the One: he turns water into wine.
What a gift to the family who is hosting their guests! In the OT, an abundance of good wine is a symbol, a sign of the joyous presence of God and his new age. And of course, Jesus Christ is exactly that. Just as the wine is a gift to the family to allow them to save face in a society that was very much shame based, John reflects through this miracle, that the abundant gift of grace is available for us all through Jesus. It is Jesus who has brought the abundant good wine to us all. Later in Chapter 6 we will read of the feeding miracle involving bread. I think it is no accident that the miracles involving bread and wine. Two miracles by Jesus’ hand, are in this gospel to reflect that Christ is the miracle for us… the sacramental gift for us all.
And every Sunday, at this table, the church’s table, we celebrate this very idea: “The gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts with thanksgiving.”
The New Interpreter’s Bible states, “This story invites the reader to share in the wonder of this miracle, to enter into the joyous celebration made possible by Jesus’ gift. The story invites the reader to see what the disciples see: that in the abundance and graciousness of Jesus’ gift, one catches a glimpse of the identity and character of God. It is no wonder that the early Christian community confessed “from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (1:16). (NIB 540)
I do not know if you noticed, but I mentioned the word “gift” at least three times so far this morning. That Jesus is God’s gift to us, and that Jesus brings us all the gift of grace. And so, this begs the question, what gifts has God given you that you can share with others to show them not only their own gifts, but show them that they are worthy of and recipients of God’s grace? Isaiah reiterates that we are God’s beloved. Worthy of being joined with him in his church. So how do we reflect the worthiness of others? How do we help others to manifest their deepest understanding of the gift God has given them so that they can, therefore, reach out to others?
Take for example Martin Luther King, whom we celebrate tomorrow. His gift of message reached so many and was an impetus to change not only in society but within individuals. King survived many hardships to follow his faith, his beliefs in humanity. His understanding of God’s grace. And in the end, he died for his faith.
After church today, we will gather for our annual meeting. We will have the opportunity to evaluate our gifts as individuals and as the church proper. We will do the usual business. Approve our annual budget, elect new vestry members, choose our Convention representatives. Hopefully, you have read the reports of what your called leaders have had to say on how they have offered opportunities for us to reach deeper in our faith, to live out our baptismal covenant that Rev. Jim spoke of last week, and to practice that faith and covenant in our community both within these walls and outside of them in the larger community.
Rev. Jim continues to say that he wants St. Augustine’s to be known not for our fabulous bells and our majestic windows, but for our gifts to our community. Our presence to those who are lost and without hope. Not just to give a hand out, but to offer a hand up.
THAT is what God has asked of us in return to his gift to us: to live a life worthy of Christ’s call. To know that as we face our own Jerusalem, our Father is waiting on us with welcome arms and with the words, “With you I am well pleased.”
In her poem entitled Epiphany, Madeleine L’Engle writes:
Unclench your fists
Hold out your hands.
Take mine.
Let us hold each other.
Thus is his Glory Manifest.
Amen
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