Yesterday my clergywomen's lectio divina group met for the first time since before Christmas. We had some catching up to do with each other, and lots of prayer concerns to share. It means a lot to me to have this group of clergy sisters, encouraging each other, praying for each other, laughing together. I hope some day we can all meet for an evening meal with a few glasses of wine and great conversation!
Wine features prominently in the lectionary reading for the second Sunday after Epiphany. First, let's have a look at Jesus, this wedding and all that wine.
John 2:1-11 begins like a good story. We have the setting - a wedding - and the main characters - Jesus and his mother - and a good feast. New Interpreter's Bible commentary states that the timing of this wedding feast should be understood as happening three days after Jesus calls the disciples in 1:43. Further, the commentator discusses why we (specifically I) should not read Jesus' response to his mother as sarcastic or rude. I have a tendency to read scripture with dramatic effect, and this isn't always helpful or accurate.
Jesus' pushback on Mary's implicit request to replenish the wine sets his ministry into a larger context than a wedding celebration. Jesus' hour refers to his glorification. This is a foreshadowing of what is to come, what she cannot yet know, and what we still struggle with. Who hasn't wanted Jesus to step in and fix a situation in their life? And yet, Jesus' ministry and ultimate glory is far larger than any situation we may find ourselves in.
The commentator also describes that "do whatever he tells you" is an echo of Genesis 41:55, in which Pharaoh tells his servants to do whatever Joseph tells them to do, meaning Mary has full confidence in Jesus and trusts that his actions (whatever they may be) will be what is right for the time.
The water is in stone jars, which would have been pure according to Levitical laws, rather than earthen jars which would have held water for non-ritual use. The new wine is a symbol that something new is happening, something new is breaking into the situation. Abundant new wine is a joyful symbol, a sign that something worth celebrating is happening. This story is Jesus' first moment of self-revealing in the gospel, and an indication of his glory to come.
The epistle reading for second Sunday after Epiphany is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The heading in New Interpreter's Bible commentary is "Recognition of the Issue of Diversity and Its Significance". At this point, I'm unsure if I will be preaching on the gospel (which is amazingly rich with symbolism and importance) or beginning a series on the 1 Corinthians readings. I'm glad that the lectionary spends some time on these readings just after Christmas, because so often the focus at Christmas is on the gift of God to the individual person rather than on the community we are created to become because of the gift of God.
This lectionary series may also be fruitful, given that the United Methodist Church is about to have a special General Conference amidst disagreement and voices calling for schism. A set of readings on the differences within community that are not to divide us but to be honored may be a good place to study. Verse four states that there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit who gives them. This sets the stage that when we see differences among us, we are to consider Who it is that animates the church.
The commentator states that Paul expects to see differences in gifts and graces among people in the church, and that these gifts are not to be indicators of status but are used by God for the common good. "What is helpful" is to be understood as "for the common good". The commentator also stresses that there is an ethic of freedom in Christ in the Corinthian community, that once people understand themselves to be Christian, they are freed from certain restraints, however, this can lead to a misuse of one's gifts. While each person is free in Christ, they are not free from using their gifts for the common good.
The understanding of gifts given for the greater good is one that is difficult in a consumer-based individualistic society. Preaching this message in a single congregation may be difficult enough, but aiming that message toward an entire denomination that is standing on the edge of a messy divorce feels downright impossible. I think I'll ask my clergywomen friends if they are up for dinner and a glass of wine now.....
No comments:
Post a Comment