Sunday, January 20, 2019

More Than a Parlor Trick

PROPERS:         SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY, YEAR C     
TEXT:                 JOHN 2:1-11
PREACHED AT ST. JOHN’S, MONROEVILLE, ALABAMA, ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019. 

ONE SENTENCE:        The manifestations of Christ, exemplified in today’s                                             gospel, continue in lives today.
                                    
Preached extemporaneously.

            Years ago, during the earlier days of my life in the ordained ministry, I served each year as director of a camp session.  The camp was Bratton-Green in the Diocese of Mississippi.  The camp sessions I oversaw were for a delightful group of children – either third and fourth grades, or fifth and sixth grades.

            The children were wide-eyed at what they encountered at camp.  There was bountiful fun.  There was great freedom.  And there was laughter – copious amounts of laughter.

            However, we began each camp day – after breakfast – with a chapel service in the outdoor chapel.  With the beauty of nature surrounding us and filling the background, we sang songs, read scripture, and offered prayers.

            But there was one additional element.  A dramatization, or skit, of some sacred theme.  Call it a dramatized homily – certainly more engaging than a sermon!

            I recall one particular episode – and it fits in with today’s gospel.  It was a dramatization of the Wedding in Cana of Galilee.

            I know this will surprise you, but there was no wedding and we did not actually change water into wine.  No one on my camp staff was able to do that.

            But we did the best we could.  To accomplish the deception of the campers, we placed an empty, clear glass pitcher on a purple tablecloth. In the bottom of the pitcher, we would pour a package of dry grape Kool Aid.  The theory was that the Kool Aid in the bottom of the pitcher would blend-in with the purple table cloth.

            Some camp staffer would be portraying Jesus.  At the right moment, that person would pour another pitcher of clear water into the glass pitcher containing the powdered Kool Aid.  The water would become the grape Kool Aid as it filled the clear glass pitcher.  Voila!

            No one was fooled.  The campers did not come to town on a turnip truck.  The kids recognized the ruse immediately.  But, backed with teaching, the message got across.

            Jesus can change things. 

+ + + 

            We are in the season of Epiphany.  The Feast of the Epiphany – two weeks ago – is also known as The Manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles.

            The season of Epiphany (also known as the season of Mardi Grasin these parts) emphasizes three major manifestations:  the appearance of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana of Galilee.

            In those three events, the remarkable nature of Jesus is made known. The Magi worship the new-born king. A dove descends on Jesus at his baptism, and a voice from heaven announces a special blessing upon him. And at the wedding, Jesus performs his first miracle – changing the water into wine.

            But those three events are like the definition of a sacrament – an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.  They point toward something else– something greater; something with more profound meaning.  They are manifestationsof something much greater.

+ + + 

            Rest assured, the changing the water into wine was no cheap parlor trick.  It represented something far greater then. And it represents something far greater now.

            There were many things that Jesus did during his earthly ministry.  But nothing was more profound than changing the hearts and livesof those he encountered.  No one who came across his path would remain the same – the woman with the issue of blood; the lepers; Mary Magdalene; the Syrophoenician woman; Matthew, the tax collector; Zacchaeus; Peter; and the soldiers who crucified him.  He changed their lives.

            But his life and ability to change lives – to manifesthis presence – was not a one-and-donematter.  He continues to manifest himself today… and to change lives.  Epiphany continues.

            We seldom are aware of his manifestation in normal times – when the waters are calm and the wind is at our back.  We are blissfully unaware.  We feel independent and self-sufficient.  Life is easy and good.

            But storm-clouds arise – in various forms.  Life is turned upside-down.  The prevailing winds turn against us, and we are like the disciples on the sea:  We are making headway painfully, if at all.

            And in such moments – when life becomes difficult – we may utter those words, “My God, my God!  Why have you forsaken me?”  We feel so alone… so fragile.

            It is in such moments that we are most pliable – and we have the greatest potential to be touched, transformed, and made new by Jesus, with the Holy Spirit acting in our lives.

            We may be aware of our manifold blessings on the mountaintop, but it is in the deepest, darkest valley that we may be made new.

            Yes, it all happens today.  Not just at a wedding long ago and far away.  Jesus can manifest himself and his ability to change us in the here-and-now.
\
            If we are willing to pour ourselves out like water, and be willing to be transformed into something new.

No comments: