Isaiah 62: 1-5
Psalm 96: 1-3, 7-10
1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
John 2: 1-11
Doesn't it seem a little funny that the first recorded public miracle of Jesus was about keeping a party going? Not giving sight to the blind, not exorcising demons, but playing the Divine Vintner?! There's so much to like about this story, so much that reminds us that Jesus was indeed, truly and fully human (while also being truly and fully Divine, of course). Jesus' reply to his mother's request sounds just like an embarrassed young man trying not to be seen as a 'momma's boy', or simply someone trying to mind his own business. And yet he relents: who would want the bride and groom to be embarrassed as the wine runs out (wedding feasts would last for days, and involve most if not all of the villagers... who would certainly be spending the next days or weeks reviewing the spread)?
This first miracle not only demonstrates his power, and his mother's intercessory power, but also that he CARES about all sorts of things that concern us. God CARES for us- enough to become one of us. And God CARES about us, because in Jesus God experienced our concerns and hopes, our despair and joys.
This Gospel passage is often used in connection with the Sacrament of Marriage - called a sacrament because we believe in some real way that the marital relationship is a visible representation of the reality of God's love, fidelity, and creative power.
January 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. At St. Andrew's this Friday evening, January 18, we will have a 7pm ecumenical service of scripture and song with several other local Christian congregations, during which we will celebrate 30 years of working together to feed the hungry through Western Wake Crisis Ministry. Please come if you are able! The topic for the Catechumenate on Sunday will be ecumenism.
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