Today’s
Gospel lessons contain insight and wisdom for our church at large as well as
the particular family of St. Andrew’s parish here in Emporia.
Consider the
circumstances and situations that each of the authors is addressing.
In Isaiah…
- Some were disoriented, having lost the physical reality and symbol that represented stability and endurance for them (temple for them; perhaps rector for us)
- For their sake, the prophet “will not keep silent” and “will not rest.” He is not so much bringing word from God to the people, but actually is standing strong with a depressed people and bringing their needs to God, in faithful anticipation of restoration (ref. Mary nudging our Lord the way only a mother can.)
- He is persistent that they will not be considered desolate or forsaken before God, but will be God’s delight, God’s bride over who God shall rejoice.
Paul writing
to believers in Corinth…
- Paul is addressing an early gathering of believers who seem to have fallen into the cultural norm of elevating some individuals above others and believing that some spiritual gifts are to be more valued than others.
- He reminds them instead that everyone has been gifted by the same Holy Spirit with something special that is to benefit the community’s ‘common good’, inferring that each of their gifts is needed for the wellness of the body
- The value of these charismata / these spiritual gifts is not in their sometime miraculous nature, but in what they enable in building up of the community
- He reminds them instead that everyone has been gifted by the same Holy Spirit with something special that is to benefit the community’s ‘common good’, inferring that each of their gifts is needed for the wellness of the body
- The value of these charismata / these spiritual gifts is not in their sometime miraculous nature, but in what they enable in building up of the community
Jesus and his
mother at a wedding feast in Cana…
- The story is set on ‘the third day’ symbolic of resurrection.
- In the John’s telling of the wedding banquet in Cana, we hear that when supply was running short, when scarcity was about to spoil a good thing, a mother nudges her child (‘woman’/humanity nudge’s Christ) and though there appears to be some initial reluctance or resistance, miraculous things do happen on God’s timeline - abundance was provided, and the feast went on.
- Out of the old comes more than enough new (nearly 180 gallons worth in this story!)
- Not everyone at the party notices who has made the difference – only a small number of those serving behind the scenes witness the faithful labor and miraculous generosity of Spirit – the hosts the majority of the guests just know that the party continues and with even better wine than before.
- In the John’s telling of the wedding banquet in Cana, we hear that when supply was running short, when scarcity was about to spoil a good thing, a mother nudges her child (‘woman’/humanity nudge’s Christ) and though there appears to be some initial reluctance or resistance, miraculous things do happen on God’s timeline - abundance was provided, and the feast went on.
- Out of the old comes more than enough new (nearly 180 gallons worth in this story!)
- Not everyone at the party notices who has made the difference – only a small number of those serving behind the scenes witness the faithful labor and miraculous generosity of Spirit – the hosts the majority of the guests just know that the party continues and with even better wine than before.
What
might the Holy Spirit have us hear in today’s lessons?
- We labor in God’s vineyard according to God’s timeline, not our own. And, it’s ok and expected that we ask the vineyard owner or fellow guests and laborers for what we need. What is hidden in us as children of God is to be revealed in due time and celebrated in community, as if at a joyous wedding banquet. Each of us has God-given gifts through the Holy Spirit that are to be discovered and used for the common good. In our holy stories, God’s partner/bridge is never a solitary individual, but a united community.
- I like the words of a colleague who was formerly a staff officer for rural and small communities with our Church Center and now is vicar of a small parish in Arkansas: “If God can take a group of exiles and restore them to greatness, and if ordinary people are gifted by the Holy Spirit with what it takes to be the Church, then how can we dare say we do not have enough without insulting God's promise?...Throughout the Christian world people are building faith communities with nothing in terms of wealth. And they succeed because these people have caught the spirit of the Gospel, that God desires God's work to continue, and God will use what appears to be the lowly and unimportant to accomplish it. So, if you are waiting for better days in the church know that they have come. If you are waiting until the right leader appears know that the time is now. If you are feeling low because of the things you don't have, take an inventory of the assets you have. Most people are surprised when they discover the talent that is there and the resources that are at their disposal. The transformation of the lives of women and men is not expensive in terms of the world; and in God's economy, it is free. Our task is to lay aside the things that daunt us, make us afraid and captive to scarcity. Putting on the garment of light in Epiphany means moving into mission - NOW. So, rejoice with Isaiah that God finds your church worthy of delight. Celebrate the gifts given you by the Spirit to move forward in mission. Vow to be part of the work of the Gospel which transforms water into wine and God's people into a holy communion of faithful folk.” (The Rev. Ben Helmer, former staff officer for rural and small community ministries for the Episcopal Church from 1999-2005; now Vicar at St. James, Eureka Springs, AR)
- I like the words of a colleague who was formerly a staff officer for rural and small communities with our Church Center and now is vicar of a small parish in Arkansas: “If God can take a group of exiles and restore them to greatness, and if ordinary people are gifted by the Holy Spirit with what it takes to be the Church, then how can we dare say we do not have enough without insulting God's promise?...Throughout the Christian world people are building faith communities with nothing in terms of wealth. And they succeed because these people have caught the spirit of the Gospel, that God desires God's work to continue, and God will use what appears to be the lowly and unimportant to accomplish it. So, if you are waiting for better days in the church know that they have come. If you are waiting until the right leader appears know that the time is now. If you are feeling low because of the things you don't have, take an inventory of the assets you have. Most people are surprised when they discover the talent that is there and the resources that are at their disposal. The transformation of the lives of women and men is not expensive in terms of the world; and in God's economy, it is free. Our task is to lay aside the things that daunt us, make us afraid and captive to scarcity. Putting on the garment of light in Epiphany means moving into mission - NOW. So, rejoice with Isaiah that God finds your church worthy of delight. Celebrate the gifts given you by the Spirit to move forward in mission. Vow to be part of the work of the Gospel which transforms water into wine and God's people into a holy communion of faithful folk.” (The Rev. Ben Helmer, former staff officer for rural and small community ministries for the Episcopal Church from 1999-2005; now Vicar at St. James, Eureka Springs, AR)
So, what are we to do?
o
We’re
being shown that the best is yet to come – just when some might say the party
is coming to an end because we’re ‘running out’, generous provisions of new
abundance can be created, offering nourishment that is even better than before.
o
We,
like the mother of our Lord, are to be on the lookout for our communal needs. And,
we stand in good shoes when we nudge/prod God to notice our needs and to do
something (remembering, often behind the scenes out the sight of the rest of the
guests, to nudge/prod each other to do something)
o
EAT together in faith, enjoying this communion in Christ’s
name, trusting that we’re all looking out for each other’s comfort and joy.
CULTIVATE HOPE IN OUR FUTURE (with God’s help)
o
We
need the prophets among us to not stop talking to us and to God.
o
Stand
strong in hope and petition for new unity and joy, continually seeking,
identifying, and celebrating signs that God’s delight is in us.
o
PRAY daily, perhaps even prodding God (as Mary nudged Jesus)
about what is needed so that risk of embarrassment or shame is reduced and the
potential for joy and gladness increased.
DISCERN WHAT OUR GIFTS ARE AND USE THEM TOGETHER TOWARD OUR COMMON WELFARE
o
Miraculous
vitality is restored when we are curious enough to continually discover the
God-given gifts we each have to share for the common good.
o
LOVE each other so much that you can’t stop inquiring into
each other’s interests, passions, and talents and then discerning your gifts
together and discovering how each and every member of this family has something
the Holy Spirit has given them to share for the common good of this church.
As the Psalmist says today, “How priceless is your love, O God!; your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings. They feast upon the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the well of life; and in your light we see light. Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you; and your favor to those who are true of heart.”
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