This morning it was bitterly Cold. I shivered outside to scrape the ice off the car. The engine was running, and I waited for a few moments for the condensation to clear. Through the garden hedge the sun began to rise. I waited and watched as it slowly came into view, a huge blob of white light pouring into the new day.
It was still freezing outside but its very presence changes things.
At Church this Sunday we will read the story from St John’s Gospel, of the Wedding at Cana in Galilee. It’s the wedding where they are having such a good time that they run out of wine. You can almost sense the ripples of panic as the steward and servants rush around, trying to work out what to do.
…the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ 4 And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ 5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
Jesus then asks that six stone water jars are filled with water. When Jesus instructs the servants to draw some out and take it to the steward to taste, they suddenly realise that it has become wine. Not just any old plonk, but the best vintage. The day has been saved and the feast can continue!
Now we are told at the end of the story that Jesus performed this miracle as a sign, a sign that revealed his glory especially to his new disciples. This miracle was the first of seven signs that are spread throughout the first half of John’s Gospel.
For his mum, his disciples, and all those who were present at any one of these miraculous signs, it must have been like witnessing the glorious rising of the bright sun on a dark winter morning.
It was still freezing outside but His very presence changes things.
Fr. Gareth
Fr. Gareth Ingham – Priest in Charge
The Benefice of CRIFTINS with DUDLESTON and WELSH FRANKTON
and The Benefice of PETTON with COCKSHUTT, WELSHAMPTON, and LYNEAL with COLEMERE.
Feature Image: Paolo_Veronese_008-e1705600756740.jpg, Wikicommons Images, (P.D.)