JOHN 2: 1-11
Jottings on John…Epiphany 2…2019
Is John standing in for LK today because LK - a later-comer to Christian Faith - isn’t at the party? Nor Matthew, nor Mark? Whereas John is? Whatever, it’s an invitation to explore, in an imaginative way, a question of who’s in & who’s out when it comes to giving & receiving hospitality. Hospitality is one of those ‘spiritual gifts’ that don’t make it onto the biblical lists! Who gets invited to our celebrations, & who misses out? Are you & I on anybody’s list? To invite, or not to invite!? In the Eucharist, YHWH God invites us all to the altar to share God-self, play Host to us all. But are our Eucharists, be they formal, or less structured, recognisably a Celebration? Of God & each other? Where we can genuinely enjoy God through Jesus & by His Spirit in His Body & Blood? And, remember, enjoying each other’s company!
The Presbyterian ‘Larger Catechism’ (approved in 1648!) begins with the Question: ‘What is the chief & highest end of man?’ The answer is ‘..to glorify God & fully enjoy him for ever’. I like that. Many of us do our best to ‘glorify God’ in our varying ways. But is ‘fully enjoying’ God in the here & now part of our experience? Can we expect to enjoy God’s hospitality in any future world if we can’t recognise Him & enjoy Him among us today? Today’s Gospel may help us explore the issue. Why not have a go!
I pretty sure most people think of Jesus at this wedding breakfast as a by-stander; sitting, or standing, watching others enjoy the proceedings. Maybe with a glass of water in His hand? I prefer to picture Him in the midst of the celebrating with a glass of wine in hand. Chatting to His relies, or partnering someone - why not Mary? - in an enthusiastic & energetic Jewish dance! Let’s think of Jesus as a participant, not a spectator, in everything that’s on offer in celebrating life today. Whenever there’s a celebration, a wedding or anything else, at Cana, or anywhere else. Including at our altars. Look for Jesus as Host, in Bread & Wine at the altar, & also in the midst of His guests. Unlike some of His followers, Jesus is no ‘kill-joy’!
I like to think the Chair of the wedding feast’s reaction on discovering how good the New Wine is - without knowing its Source - as a kind of allegory for those of us who benefit from Grace & how good it is - even if we haven’t yet worked out where it comes from! The reality, though, is that only those who draw on, & taste, & recognise God’s New Wine of Grace can savour it to the fullest!
Brian
Afterthought: The wine’s long run out at Cana, but how is the wine of grace flowing among us, whoever & wherever we are?
