Reluctant Miracles

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-11

On January 7th, we turn from all the festivities and sweetness of the Christmas season to the reality of daily life. The lectionary quickly turns from the tender child needing protection to the adult Jesus bristling at his mother. I turn away from the Mary letters, which I love writing, to the daily lectionary focus once again. It is abrupt and I find myself aching for more time. Jesus wanted more time. He was so ready and yet felt unprepared. I know all of those who were taking GOEs these past few days know this feeling well. The are on the verge of ordination yet feel so ready and yet really unprepared as well.

We want more time, Mom!

So here we are. With a reluctant, human Jesus. He does turn water into wine. And he was prodded by his insistent mother to do so. And we like that very human Jesus, find ourselves in these times of radical shifts feeling so unready. It's time to dive in whether we feel like it or not. A very human Jesus dove in despite his reluctant, even possibly a fear of failure. We are invited by God today to engage our ministry and our gifts despite our fears, reluctance and aching for more time.

Gracious Creator, you know our hearts

the fears and worries that lie deep

the memories of failures and rejections

and you come and swell in our hearts still.

Jesus, prodded by his mother to begin

made his first miracle at a family wedding

and you call us to begin our ministries

in the most unlikely and confusing place.

Help us Lord, to be strong enough for today

give us eyes to see those we need to serve today

make move in faith despite our human reluctance

trusting that you will give us your strength to serve. Amen.