"The Wedding Guest"

 

In John's Gospel, we get a glimpse of what our God does best and enjoys the most – God enjoys being with people in the ordinary and extraordinary times of their lives. God desires to be “guest” in the everyday happenings of our lives. In John’s Gospel, there are many layers and levels of meaning as well as a great many symbols throughout his writings.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus, his Mother, and disciples are invited to a wedding celebration. Now his time has come – for in this “Book of Signs”, his public ministry begins.  Here at this wedding, he is not the host of the feast, but a guest like everyone else. His ministry now opens with a gesture of hospitality in an intimate, personal, and familial setting. With the sensitivity of his Mother, he is informed that the wine at the feast has run out.  (We all know how this can be an embarrassment for the Wedding Planner and the bride and groom!) He is now moved to respond not only to the lack of wine but to free the young couple from shame and embarrassment.

In his creative imagination, he notices the six stone water jars standing dutifully at the entrance of the home. These jars held 20-30 gallons of water for the Jewish purification rituals of washing hands after each course of the meal. It is here within these jars that the power and presence of God is experienced.  Much like in Genesis: “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. . .” - that with Jesus’ blessing hovering over the waters within the jars, scarcity becomes abundance, shame is released and honor restored, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary, and simple waters of purification now become choice wine.  Can you imagine? Now they have at least 150 -180 gallons of choice wine!  A wine that probably would win First Prize at a wine tasting forum which selects the best wine to meet the criteria of outstanding quality, value, availability, and excitement! 

However, in this “sign” – the old is made new – the waters of purification reflecting tradition and customs has now been transformed into a new wine. This is a new time; a new age, the Kingdom is NOW! – the Messiah is in their midst – God is “in the flesh” and Jesus is the New Wine!!  God is manifesting abundance, extravagance, endless and unconditional generosity in the person of Jesus! Let us celebrate!