Saturday, February 1, 2014

3rd Epiphany 2007, Strength and Joy

John 2, 1-11
3rd Epiphany

On the third day a wedding took place in Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.

When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

And Jesus answered her, “Something still weaves between me and you, o Woman. The hour when I can work out of myself alone has not yet come.”

Then his mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

There were six stone jars set up there for the Jewish custom of ceremonial washing, each containing twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with fresh water.”

And they filled them to the brim. And he said, “Now draw some out and take it to the Master of the feast. And they brought it to him.

Now when the Master of the feast tasted the water that had become wine, not knowing where it came from—for only the servants who had drawn the water knew—he called the bridegroom aside and said to him, “Everyone serves the choice wine first, and when the guests have drunk, then the lesser; but you have saved the best until now.”


This, the beginning of the signs of the spirit which Jesus performed among men happened at Cana in Galilee and revealed the creating spiritual power that worked through Him. The disciples’ hearts opened, the power of faith began to stir in them, and they began to trust in him.




3rd Epiphany

January 21, 2007
John 2: 1-11


At the first tender beginnings of spring, new buds break out on old trees; new shoots spring from old bulbs; new plants break forth from old seeds. The new erupts on the basis of what went before.

The Gospel reading is full of signs of spring. A wedding’s promise of new life; fresh water drawn from Mother Earth; vital forces newly arising in Jesus from Christ’s indwelling. These new forces are yet tender – the time of His full flowering yet to come. And so to His power, the mother of his soul adds her support, her love, her concern and compassion. Their working together creates an effervescence which enlivens all who taste it.


In the Act of Consecration of Man we can experience at any time a new tender spring-like effervescence. Waters drawn up from deep in Mother Earth by the grapevine, ripened in the sun, create grape juice. Our souls help to mother a transformation by adding the offering of the best of ourselves into the water and juice. Christ’s offering of Himself, his forces, into our offering creates a new substance. It becomes Christ-wine. It is medicine for our blood, darkened by egotism; strength for our spirits in learning to love. The Christ-wine brightens our blood. It gives fresh vitality to our spirits. Strength and joy rise.

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