Word to the Wise
Sunday, January 14, 2007 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
[Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11]Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.
. Oh my goodness, if there is any public event that is filled with more stories, drama, backstage panics, worry, fuss, joy, laughter, tears,etc. etc. etc.than a wedding, I would like to know what it is. Weddings have more layers than the ceremonial cake that the bride and groom shove into each other's mouths! Lord knows, I've been a part of plenty of them! The stories are legion: a bridal bouquet left at the house (rescued by the grandfather of the bride [ a notriously slow driver] and delivered as the bridesmaids were going up the aisle) a; groom borrowing a pair of black socks from me to wear in his wedding [something borrowed?.....] and also locking his shoes in the trunk of his car (but he was good with a Swiss army knife - why he had that and not his keys remains a mystery but who cares?.....): Old feuds are settled and new ones begun. Since I take the preparation process seriously, I am often aware of the various stories that are being played out in the whole process. One can only wonder about the whispered panic over the wine at Cana! "They have no more wine! So what? A mother will not even dignify that with a response. Just do what he says! You want us to do what? Why didn't you serve this to begin with? Is it a Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet? Who knows? Don't ask me how he did it!" Every sign worked by Jesus in the Gospel of John is as multi-layered as the incident in which it occurs. Yes, Jesus saves a couple from embarrassment. Yes, he replaces the water used for Jewish observance with a wine of his own making (Eucharistic?). Yes, it is his first sign and his disciples BEGAN to believe in him. Perhaps this isn't as dramatic as multiplying loaves and fishes (more food) or walking on water or raising Lazarus, but it's still a sign about Jesus and his identity. Choosing something as domestic as a wedding doesn't make it any less dramatic or any less challenging. He is the Messiah, and it might be a good idea to invite him to whatever event we want to have in life! AMEN
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