This fall, my son played on a baseball team for the first time. At one of the games, it turned out that the other parents who usually helped with things like keeping score and tracking the lineup and helping on the field were absent. As my husband Daniel and I stood on the sidelines waiting for the game to start, I noticed the coach looking around a bit frantically on his way out to the pitcher’s mound. And, since I do love to be helpful, I called out, “Do you need a scorekeeper?” He nodded. “Daniel can do it!”
If you have a specialized skill or gift, chances are you’ve been pressed into service on one occasion or another. Maybe you play the piano, and were at a worship service or event where the musician called in sick at the last minute. Maybe you answered a call for any nearby medical personnel, or perhaps you were just tall, and able to reach an item on the top shelf at the grocery store that was out of reach for someone else. In those kinds of situations, sometimes you notice what’s going on around you and jump right in to help. At other times, though, you might be a bit reluctant. Maybe you didn’t notice there was a need, or aren’t sure you’re really the person best suited for the job, or just don’t feel like it. At those times, it might take a nudge from someone who knows us, knows our gifts, and invites and encourages us to serve.
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| Photo by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash |
In today’s Gospel reading from John, it is the mother of Jesus who encourages Jesus to put his gifts to use at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. In those days, weddings took place over the span of a week, with feasting and dancing, laughter and conversation. Guests all contributed to the food and drink that would keep the celebration going as together they rejoiced in the gift of families joined and love shared. As time goes by at this particular wedding, the wine gives out and it seems like the celebration will come to a premature, embarrassing halt. Jesus is there as a guest, along with his newly-called disciples, and his mother. Noticing the problem, Mary simply says to Jesus, “They have no wine.”
For whatever reason, Jesus is reluctant to get involved. Not his party, not his problem, not yet his time. But though he has not yet performed signs and miracles publicly, Mary trusts that Jesus’ gifts can and should be put to use here, for the good of all. And so she says to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” And they wait.
Though it was not the time and, perhaps, not the way that Jesus envisioned his gifts being used for ministry, he accepted the nudge of his mother, and the nudge of the Spirit. He instructed the servants to fill large stone jars with water, and then to draw some out and take it to the chief steward. When the steward in charge of the party tasted the wine that was brought to him, he was amazed. The feasting and celebrating could continue - here was good wine, and lots of it - what joy! What grace!
In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ miracles are not called “miracles” but “signs”. This is because the thing to pay attention to is not the sign itself, but rather what the sign points to. These signs along the way direct our attention to God’s glory, revealed in surprising and powerful ways. This first sign, of ordinary water turned to wine, reveals God’s generous abundance - an outpouring of grace that subverts the world’s expectations and brings about joy.
God’s glory is revealed through Jesus, and through the gifts he shares with those around him in his life, death, and resurrection. And, God's glory is still revealed here and now. God’s glory is revealed in the Word, read and proclaimed, as we hear again and again of God's care for God's people in moments of crisis and scarcity as well as in times of celebration and joy. God's glory is revealed in the ordinary waters of baptism, through which we are cleansed from sin and claimed as God's own. God's glory is revealed at the communion table, in simple, finite food that bears the infinite holy mystery of God's forgiveness, love, and grace.
Sometimes, God's glory is even revealed through our words and actions, as we care for one another and the world God made. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we too have gifts to share which point to God’s glory and goodness and love. As we heard in First Corinthians: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Your unique gifts are given by God and activated in you - not just for your own use, but for the good of all. Your gifts bless and enrich our life together in community.
As you look through the packet of reports in preparation for next Sunday's annual meeting, you will see many examples from the past year of gifts shared for the common good here at Our Redeemer and beyond. With your gifts, you have generously collected food for City Mission and Blessings in a Backpack. With your gifts, you have prepared and served meals to hungry people. With your gifts, you've taught children about God’s everlasting love at Growing in God and VBS and Confirmation and at Noah’s Ark Preschool. With your gifts, you've welcomed and guided and read and served Communion and lit candles and sang and played instruments in worship. With your gifts, you've called and written and visited people who are lonely, grieving, and ill. With your gifts, you've spent hours troubleshooting, rehearsing, cleaning, decorating, planning, making coffee, setting up tables, counting money, inputting data, gathering in meetings, and more. What gifts! What abundance! What joy!
Yes, your gifts are needed for our life together here, and your gifts are needed in the world. You are needed in the world. Be assured - in the waters of baptism God has called you and equipped you. As the Holy Spirit guides you and nudges you to let your light shine, your works of love for others can point them to the abundant, unexpected, joyful presence of God's goodness, mercy, and love in the world.
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