Dearest e-votees,
Here is a belated edition of last week's e-vo. The Wedding at Cana was our appointed text.
Peace,
Karl
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1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “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.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
John 2:1-11, NRSV
Consider the Wedding at Cana as follows:
There was a community-based celebration that is going on. This was an affair that lingered over time. It was a culmination of joys and hopes and dreams coming to pass. There were undoubtedly many rituals and traditions that were incorporated and bore much significance. Many people were invited. Jesus and his followers were there.
The wine ran out. The party stopped thriving as it once did. There was likely some measure of shame/embarrassment/grief over things coming undone. Certainly people grew anxious and started scrambling to get things under control. At some point Jesus was invoked.
Protestations. Jesus responds with "Why do you involve me?" and "It isn't my time."
Miracle through earthen vessels There were some vessels lying around. Vessels that might have been easily written off. These vessels had some part in ritual cleansing. These vessels were brought into the mix through the prompting of Jesus. There was treasure to be had in those earthen vessels.
Through those earthen vessels. New life came into being. Renewed joy came into being. An epiphany (revelation) of Jesus came into being.
Consider where God has placed you:
There is a community-based celebration that is going on. You are part of a community that has existed over time. It is a culmination of joys and hopes and dreams coming to pass. There are undoubtedly many rituals and traditions that are incorporated and bear much significance. Many people have been and are invited including you. Jesus and his followers are there.
The wine runs out. At times the party stops thriving as it once did. There is likely some measure of shame/embarrassment/grief over things coming undone. People grew anxious and start scrambling to get things under control. Sometimes blame and accusation comes to the fore. Sometimes despair and humiliation. At some point it is wise to invoke Jesus.
Protestations. We may echo Jesus with things such as "Why are you bothering me with this?" or "I have put in my time already" or "Now is not a convenient time." or "What concern is this situation to me?" We protest.
Miracle through earthen vessels We are those very earthen vessels that can be found lying around. We and others are vessels that might easily be written off. We are those vessels that have deep roots in ritual cleansing (you know, that whole baptism thing). We vessels are brought into the mix through the promptings of Jesus. There are treasures to be had in us earthen vessels.
Through those earthen vessels. In us and through us new life comes into being. In us and through us renewed joy comes into being. In us and through us an epiphany (revelation) of Jesus comes into being. There is a reason that we are lingering in a sort of Cana. God has work to do in us and through us. Despite our protestations and despite what we might deem our humble and plain appearance God has life, joy and revealing work to do in us and through us.
God, help us be open to all you would do in us and through us for the sake of others. Help us be open to all that you would do to us and through the earthen vessels of others. Help us experience your revealed glory and grow into a deeper belief. Amen.
Here is a belated edition of last week's e-vo. The Wedding at Cana was our appointed text.
Peace,
Karl
------------
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “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.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Consider the Wedding at Cana as follows:
There was a community-based celebration that is going on. This was an affair that lingered over time. It was a culmination of joys and hopes and dreams coming to pass. There were undoubtedly many rituals and traditions that were incorporated and bore much significance. Many people were invited. Jesus and his followers were there.
The wine ran out. The party stopped thriving as it once did. There was likely some measure of shame/embarrassment/grief over things coming undone. Certainly people grew anxious and started scrambling to get things under control. At some point Jesus was invoked.
Protestations. Jesus responds with "Why do you involve me?" and "It isn't my time."
Miracle through earthen vessels There were some vessels lying around. Vessels that might have been easily written off. These vessels had some part in ritual cleansing. These vessels were brought into the mix through the prompting of Jesus. There was treasure to be had in those earthen vessels.
Through those earthen vessels. New life came into being. Renewed joy came into being. An epiphany (revelation) of Jesus came into being.
Consider where God has placed you:
There is a community-based celebration that is going on. You are part of a community that has existed over time. It is a culmination of joys and hopes and dreams coming to pass. There are undoubtedly many rituals and traditions that are incorporated and bear much significance. Many people have been and are invited including you. Jesus and his followers are there.
The wine runs out. At times the party stops thriving as it once did. There is likely some measure of shame/embarrassment/grief over things coming undone. People grew anxious and start scrambling to get things under control. Sometimes blame and accusation comes to the fore. Sometimes despair and humiliation. At some point it is wise to invoke Jesus.
Protestations. We may echo Jesus with things such as "Why are you bothering me with this?" or "I have put in my time already" or "Now is not a convenient time." or "What concern is this situation to me?" We protest.
Miracle through earthen vessels We are those very earthen vessels that can be found lying around. We and others are vessels that might easily be written off. We are those vessels that have deep roots in ritual cleansing (you know, that whole baptism thing). We vessels are brought into the mix through the promptings of Jesus. There are treasures to be had in us earthen vessels.
Through those earthen vessels. In us and through us new life comes into being. In us and through us renewed joy comes into being. In us and through us an epiphany (revelation) of Jesus comes into being. There is a reason that we are lingering in a sort of Cana. God has work to do in us and through us. Despite our protestations and despite what we might deem our humble and plain appearance God has life, joy and revealing work to do in us and through us.
God, help us be open to all you would do in us and through us for the sake of others. Help us be open to all that you would do to us and through the earthen vessels of others. Help us experience your revealed glory and grow into a deeper belief. Amen.
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