Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Invited
This story is one to which I often refer when giving the prayer at a wedding reception. I like to remind us that Jesus was present with those who gathered to celebrate a wedding banquet. His presence allowed for an unexpected blessing to occur: the first miracle of Jesus’ ministry, turning water into wine.
I have read this story many times over the years. Yet each time I find a new aspect to challenge my thinking. Often, we focus on the miracle itself or that it was Jesus’ mother who instigated the miracle that inaugurated Jesus into his earthly ministry. What caught my attention this time, however, was verse 2, “Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” Jesus was considered and wanted, even before the event occurred.
How often in life do we wait until we need something from God before we invite God into our living? It’s more common for us to go to God when we are in need, when we are ailing, when we are struggling. Many people try to negotiate with God: “If you do this for me, I will . . .” We usually don’t think twice about going to God with our problems. This passage reminds us that God likes to be present for all our life, the challenges and the celebrations.
Jesus was able to begin his work of miracles, “the first of his signs” (John 2:11; a more accurate translation of the Greek word archē is “beginning”), because he was present. He was able to meet the immediate need, because he was already there. Too often we wait to invite God to be with us, and most of the time it’s only for certain occasions. Maybe we “don’t want to bother” God with our problems. God wants to be present for it all. God wants to be invited into our lives, not just during our worship time, but every moment.
Let’s not wait. Let’s ask God to be present at each moment of our lives. It may be just the beginning of a beautiful relationship of miracles done together.
Beth Rohn-Habhegger, pastor, Wisconsin Rapids Moravian Church
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin