John 2: 1-11

You may or may not know that Sally's and my recent trip west included

celebrating a wedding in San Juan Capistrano, just north of San Diego. It was

an honor, a privilege and a great pleasure to be able to accept the

invitation of John and Lynn Osth to join family and friends for the wedding

of their daughter Betsy to Dustin Lillie. I thank the church council for

granting me the necessary vacation time. Interestingly, Betsy is the first

child of St. James to be both baptized and married by me.

Father Doren Tregarthen, Associate Pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland

Episcopal Church split the presiding minister role right down the middle.  By

the way, why do Episcopal priests and their churches have all the interesting

names? "Tony Danielson of St. James" is O.K. or, as the old Swedes like to

say, "plenty good enough." But, "Doren Tregarthen of St. Margaret of

Scotland" has such an unusual sound to it. From now on I want you to refer to

me as "Gustav Anton Danielson of St. James the Elder"---won't that be

something!

Weddings are times of great anxiety and great risk, but also times of great

hope and great fun. Anything can happen at a wedding and usually does!

Actually this Southern California wedding was uneventful accept for the fact

that we had perfect weather, the sanctuary was incredibly beautiful, and the

bride and groom were extremely well suited for each other. Likewise,

yesterday's wedding of Ron Kok-Alblas and Kim Morton at Immaclate Conception

Church in Chicago---except, of course, for the weather.

Coincidentally, this morning's Gospel Lesson tells us that Jesus and the

disciples were invited to a wedding. It was at Cana in Galilee and Mary, the

mother of Jesus, was also there. This fact is included in the story as though

it would not have been unusual for Mary to be present.

At this particular wedding, they ran out of wine and Mary reported the

problem to Jesus, saying: "Son, they have no wine." We wish we could know the

tone of voice Mary used. Was it a complaining or accusatory tone? We don't

know. We only know that she reported the crisis to Jesus in those simple

words. "They ran out of wine."

Jesus' response, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? was certainly

not as respectful as it might have been. Another translation of the same text

has Jesus saying, "Woman, what do you want from me?" which is hardly an

improvement. But, we all know that more than one son has said something

similar to his mother. Son Tait might have said, "Mom, you're bothering me."

And, while Sally might suggest to him that there is a more appropriate

response to a parental inquiry, she would take it all in stride.

Mary's request and Jesus' response to her concern seem to imply that this was

not an uncommon mother-son exchange. Furthermore, there seems to be the

assumption that Jesus could and would indeed do something about the "wine

supply problem" even though he might prefer not to. Knowing that her son,

irritable or not, would eventually solve the problem, Mary instructs the

servants to assist him, saying, "Do whatever he tells you."

Now the graphic part of the text emerges. There are six stone jars. Scholars

tell us that they were the kind of jars that were used for the ritualistic

bathing that preceded certain kinds of liturgies and could, therefore, hold

twenty or thirty gallons.

Try to picture them and the scene. Jesus instructs the servants to "Fill the

jars with water." That would have been no small task and yet, the servants do

it right away. They are then told to take a small amount from one of the jars

and take it to the "steward" or head of the feast to taste. Lo and behold, it

is wine! And, not just any wine---it is a good wine.

We next get an interesting conversation between the "head of the feast" and

the bridegroom. "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then when the

guests become drunk and can't tell the difference, they give them the

inferior wine. But you have kept the best wine till now."

It all seems a bit bizarre, if not downright silly. We have a wedding steward

who was probably the one who miscalculated the receptions beverage needs. We

have a few servants standing around worrying about what could be done. And,

we have a mother who knew that her remarkable son could save the day if he

wanted to save the day.

The writer of John comments that this is the first of the signs through which

Jesus revealed his glory. And yet, what it all seems to boil down to is that

the Savior of the whole World had to roll up his sleeves and go to work, even

though he was a guest at a wedding.

Symbolically---and remember, that's how "signs" speak to us---Symbolically,

Jesus' "turning water into wine," reveals that HE was and is to be found at

the source of supply when that which is needed has been emptied and must be

replenished.  A fact, by the way, those who are in need readily understand,

while those who want for little or nothing do not always understand.

In this context, "The Story of the Wedding at Cana" is not without its

"divine humor." In our world of rich and poor, "haves" and "have nots" the

"best" always gets served first and the "first," get served the best. Earthly

rewards always seem to be there for the strongest, smartest and speediest.

And yet, in spite of the good fortune of those who "have," when what was for

them once filled is suddenly empty, there is always great disappointment and

complaining. It is as if the world is always playing tricks on the strongest,

smartest and speediest by first giving and then abruptly taking away. And,

while the weaker and slower may be just barely getting by, they understand

that the "Way" of God, in Christ, is not a trick but a long-term promise.

-   Christ alone fills our emptiness---now and eternally!

-   Christ alone stands not apart from us, waiting for us to come to him, but

     right  next to us and ready to go with us, into the "now" and the "not

yet."

-    Christ alone stands ready to befriend us at any and every time of need---

     at a wedding, at a bus stop, or even in a crowd.

-    Christ alone stands always ready to forgive and to save!

In retrospect, these last opportunities for me to preach the Gospel, here at

St. James, have provided marvelous moments for us to grow together in the

knowledge that, no matter where we live and serve, what we believe about

Jesus Christ is very "practical stuff," with everyday applications.

Weddings, baptisms and funerals are the "sacred stuff" of pastoral ministry.

They are the activities of pastor and people that, like the Sacrament of Holy

Communion, are most spiritual and bind us all closer together in Christ. When

my tenure as your pastor ends, our rolls and relationships will necessarily

change in this "sacred stuff" but the spiritual bonds and the memories will

remain forever.  

Jesus empowered us to solve problems and address crises, together, even as

he, during his earthly ministry, had the power to solve problems and address

crises. And, therein lies the key to understanding our relationship with him

and with each other. It is Jesus who has empowered us! It is Jesus who has

the power to works miracles---not us! We were never asked to change water

into wine, but we were asked to accomplish much that was just short of

miraculous if not indeed miraculous.

Over the years, in our comings, our goings, and our doings, God never ran out

of anything---not patience, not mercy and certainly not love. His supply of

goodness and forgiveness was never empty. With him we always got more than we

gave. He continues to recognize our every need even before we do. Praise the

Lord! . . . AMEN!