The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

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The Second Sunday After the Epiphany, 18 January 2004
Isaiah 62:1-5, I Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT

Wedding season in Cana of Galilee. Whos wedding? Unknown. Eavesdrop on the planning: We really should invite Mary since she is alone now. Then should invite her boy, Jesus, such a nice young man. Going into the ministry. He's a rabbi! And he's single! But he's been gathering all of these fishermen and other men around him. Even a tax collector! Should invite them too, then. Nice enough chaps, for fishermen. Mmm, will Peter bring his wife and mother-in-law? So 13+ more people are invited to the wedding party, but no one told the caterer! No wonder they ran out of wine!

Mary seems to feel a certain responsibility for the lack of wine. She basically takes charge: Jesus, you are part of the problem so be part of the solution! Fix it! Can see him roll his eyes. The reluctant messiah. Water jugs for ritual washing filled with about 180 gallons of water. Now 180 gallons of wine, fine wine! 518 bottles. 43 cases.

Quite the story and allusions to it. Oscar Wilde: “The English have a miraculous power to change wine into water.” BCP-wedding: &ldquo...our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.” There are many understandings/interpretations of this story.

God's overflowing, generosity and bounty. 518 bottles of wine! Baskets of leftovers from feeding the 5,000 with loaves and fishes. Christ is the ultimate generous giver, generous to a fault. Quality and quantity. Steward: “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.” (Compliment?)

What can we make of this story in our own lives, other than need for better planning when entertaining. If God can do this with common well water, what can God work in your life? What changes can God work in you?

Church talk: being reborn, born anew, transformed, converted, growing into the full stature of Christ. If God can change ordinary water into fine wine, what extraordinary miracle can God work in your life?

We hold up special people as examples of how God has transformed them and worked through them for others. Such as MLK, jr. God worked through him as a prophet and leader for generations. But God also works through the likes of you and me for the work of ministry. You are not just called to ministry, but commissioned to ministry in your baptism. Remember last week and your promises: “Will you proclaim by word and example the Goods News of God in Christ?”

Borrow from Paul. To the saints in West Valley City as to the saints in Corinth: “To each [of you] is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” You are gifted by God for the work of ministry for and with others. You need but be open to feel and see how God is moving in your life, changing the ordinary to the extraordinary in your life; changing the water of your life to the fine wine of gifts of the Spirit. [And not a box of chillable red!]

Look within you. Seek Gods counsel on what gifts you have and how you are to share them. For each of you has been given gifts of the Spirit, gifts particular to you, talents expressly chosen by God for you. These gifts have been given for you to use and to share for the common good at St. Stephens as well as at work, school, and home.