3rd Epiphany 2019, Mysterious Alchemy

3^rd Epiphany
John 2, 1-11 adapted

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

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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.

3^rd Epiphany
January 20, 2019
John 2, 1-11

The gospel reading describes the first ‘sign of the Spirit’ that Christ Jesus performed on earth. Behind the external wedding of a man and woman in Cana, another secret wedding is taking place. This is the wedding of the Christ Spirit to the Soul of Humanity.

The Mother of God is the picture of the soul’s wisdom. She is aware that the wine has run out for the wedding couple. But at the same time, the wine of the elixir of life has also run out for the soul of humanity. And she, the bearer of wisdom, gives an instruction which holds true even today: Do whatever He tells you.

He himself indicates the next step—fill the ceremonial cleansing vessels with fresh water drawn from the depths. In his presence, we would naturally feel our own unworthiness—our denials, strayings, weaknesses. Afresh from the depths of our hearts, we acknowledge them for purification.

And in a mysterious alchemy, the

cleansing changes into effervescence, sparkling, bitter-sweet and strengthening. In his presence, our cleansing becomes medicine, strength for the future, the strength that keeps our souls alive.

This is the sign that the wedding of the Spirit of Mankind and the Soul of Humanity is beginning to take place—that hearts open, that creative power begins to stir.  For when this wedding takes place, human hearts begin to trust in him. He, the true Vine, the Source of Life, begins to take root in us. Then we can joyfully anticipate a fruitful and productive future together.

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