When we were in New York one October we met a couple on their honeymoon. At their wedding, before they exchanged vows, the officiant cautioned them: ‘Life is long. It wasn't for our forefathers and ancestors. When they got married, they'd say, “We're married for life,” and go for ten years and die. You guys are looking at a thirty or forty year proposition... If you stay healthy, you could be looking at each other for over fifty years. So I ask you one more time. Are you sure?’
“Absolutely!”
At another wedding, in New York years ago, the preacher said this: “When two people in this crazy world are willing to commit themselves to each other for life, we’ve all got something to celebrate.”—Barbara Crafton
You have been to some pretty good weddings I imagine – so have I. What was the most fun about them? It varied, didn’t it?
From the look of love on the groom to the bloom on the bride to the wedding guests’ hilarity and the cute little kids having a party of their own around about knee height of the grown-ups ... to the message of grace you may have received, or the grief you may have revisited, as you were recalled to past experience. But then you recover yourself – and are present to the day – and wish well with all others as the two take their vow.
But then comes a surprise: you are asked to make a vow as well. Yes, the third vow.
“Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these two in their union?”
“Yes, we will.”
When we are guests we bless and we receive a blessing –
We witness vows and we make a vow…
“Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?”
At the wedding feast in Cana, Jesus and his companions are invited guests.
He is not the bridegroom.
He is present at the wedding – of the couple and family at Cana, as he is at the wedding of God and God’s people.
And he is a bit - disruptive...
Jesus and his boys show up when the party has been going for a while and they’ve run out of wine.
“They have no wine.”
“Fill the jars…”
When the guests arrived they could have expected nothing like this. Not what happened when Jesus showed up. In those days the party – the wedding celebration – typically went on for a week. It may have started as early as seven days before Jesus and his followers arrived. But when the Messiah appears — this is when the fun really begins.
A party that was about to run out of gas – embarrassing for the host, out of wine – suddenly revived. And more than revived. What was old was transformed. What was old became new.
Okay, stone jars. Big jars. Great supply of water for washing your hands. You would want to do that every once in a while while you are eating and drinking for seven days with the whole town at a big party. But –
“Fill the jars with water.”
“Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.”
The servants drew – and they knew. And Jesus’ disciples knew. They were in on the surprise!
What was manifested was a wonderful superabundant presence – indeed, as they soon perceived it, the very presence of God. In joy and laughter, and in blessing, God was there. In the midst of life. With us.
Bring us to the feast, guests with all the saints,
at the marriage of the bride that is Creation,
to the holy groom Emmanuel.
Guide us to the overflowing abundance
of your unexpected presence
as we ourselves are wed to Eternity.
JRL+
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