The Way – January 20, 2019

Gospel Lesson for Sunday, January 20, 2019

John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine gave out, 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.” ⁶ Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. ⁹ When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” ¹¹ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Dear Friends,

Female theologians have increased in number throughout my years of ministry. Thank God! They have enriched our understanding of the scriptures immeasurably.

One commentator I read raised up the mother of Jesus in a way I had never read before. She wrote that Mary took the side of all people waiting for God to act on their behalf. She was impatient with her Son who as God had the ability to rectify situations and to heal.

Mary’s name is never used in the Gospel of John. She is only referred to as the mother of Jesus. She becomes all mothers who pray for their children and who long for God’s intervention in their lives. Her faith in her son leads to the first miracle and kick-starts Jesus’ ministry. She reminds me of other mothers.

Peace to you, Keith