The sun sits low in the sky; the Pacific Ocean creates a majestic panorama, as the groom greets his beautiful bride on their wedding day. She has just walked down the aisle through family and friends gathered to witness their vows and celebrate their love; a love full of promise, hope and excitement. A love you can see when they gaze into each other’s eyes, as the words are read, “Love is patient and kind, never jealous or boastful… (1 Cor. 13:4). A love for better or for worse, in sickness and in health as long as they both shall live. Weddings embody the fullness of love palpable in a young couple.
As a wedding officiant, I love meeting couples and hearing their unique love story. I frequently ask them, “What first attracted you to your fiancé?” Sometimes it is a physical characteristic, like their smile, or their eyes. Other times they are drawn to endearing qualities, like a sense of humor, honesty, being a good listener. For love to develop and grow these qualities need to fit together, complementing each other, bringing out the best in the other person. It is mystery how these qualities, these gifts, become the building blocks of love. When they do, we often are invited to a wedding!
Jesus, his mother and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. As so often happens, drama finds its way into the wedding celebration. The wine runs out and Jesus’ mother asks him to do something. The large water jugs are filled to the brim and Jesus responds by turning water into wine. Even though it was not “his time,” Jesus chooses to perform his first miracle, his first sign, at a wedding – a time honoring love and commitment, valuing relationships. This is so important. We can get so caught up in the transformation that we miss the setting. The wedding has value for Jesus. Weddings create covenantal bonds, based on intimacy and complete sharing of self. Maybe that is why God speaks of marrying Zion in the prophetic words of Isaiah. God transforms the desolate land and forsaken people, into God’s people in whom God delights. God delights in his bride Zion. Jesus also speaks of the church as his bride (Eph. 5:25). Both God and Christ celebrate marriage as a way to understand our relation with the divine, because weddings are woven into the fabric of our culture.
When we get invited to a wedding, we usually come bearing gifts. We celebrate their love with wedding gifts: towels, dishes and stemware. We give them things they need to start their new life together. Fortunately, with bridal registries we don’t all give them a toaster, because there are many gifts needed to build a home. In a similar way there are many gifts needed to build a church, something we all declared together in the Service of Ordination: “There are different gifts but it is the same Spirit who gives them and the same God who activates all of them in everyone” (1 Cor. 12:4). Spiritual gifts come from God. Just like gifts fit together to form a relationship worthy of marriage, spiritual gifts fit together to support our congregation. Newly elected officers, you might not be feeling very confident in your gifts to serve right at the moment, but that is OK. Jesus takes the gifts you have and turns them into what is needed.
When the wine ran out at the wedding, Jesus took what was available-water – and turned it into what was needed– wine. This happens with spiritual gifts as well. Let’s say YOU are a large water jug filled to the brim. You are filled with a full life of responsibilities and family and you are filled with all sorts of gifts. Jesus takes your gifts and transforms them into the gifts needed for the church. Your gift of caring, of listening with your heart, becomes the spiritual gift used to be a wonderful deacon supporting your neighborhood. Your gift of leadership becomes the spiritual gift needed to be a wise elder. Your gift of music becomes the gift needed to enhance worship. Your gift of service becomes the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Your gift of hospitality becomes the gift used to offer fellowship and community within St. Andrew.
Jesus turned water into wine an act that was interpreted as serving the better wine last, unusual for a wedding feast. What is not understood is that the wine is better because it comes from power of God. The gifts you bring are good, just right as a matter of fact. When God is with you in your service your gifts will be so much better. Let’s remember if the bridegroom tried to meet his challenge on his own he would only have water- no wine. With Jesus anything is possible. So whatever doubts you might have about serving as an elder or deacon leave them here in a prayer to God. Remember that God has given you a new name- the name of elder or the name of deacon- a name that comes from the mouth of God. A name promising Jesus is with you. I now pronounce you elder and deacon, you may now serve the church.
Marriage is a metaphor for our relationship with God. Much like the qualities that attract a couple to each other in marriage, the qualities we all have work together for the good of God in this church. So many of you have had a wonderful marriage; filled with love and deep commitment. Your spouse inspires you to be a better person and holds you when you are feeling down. God does that too. God is patient and kind and never jealous of the time you spend on other things. God always invites you back into that covenantal relationship, inviting you to surrender once again, inviting you to offer your simple gifts to be transformed into what Christ needs in this time and this place.
I have spoken to our new elders and deacons, but I want to make sure everyone hears this last part, God’s love letter to you. Isaiah wrote, “As young man marries a young woman so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (62:5). Just like a precious spouse builds you up, God wants to build you into a new creation. You are perfect just as you are, created in God’s image and loved to the core of your being. Yet God honoring the gifts you have, your water, wants to make you better, sweeter than wine. God delights in you, your inner beauty and strength, your unique sense of humor, your love of God and your fellows. God rejoices over you, and is happy when you come into his presence. This is a two-way street. The Psalmist encourages us, “Delight in the Lord and God will give you the desires of your heart” (37:4). This is your marriage to God. This is your wedding gift: the majestic panorama of the vibrant ocean surrounds you, the sun is setting, and like a couple on their wedding day, God sees you and adores you. God promises to be with you always. God delights in you, calling you beloved. AMEN
