Weekly Bible Notes
Third Sunday of Epiphany - Year B The Wedding at Cana
Liturgical Colour - White or Gold
Introduction
This week we read of the Wedding Feast at Cana, the first spectacular miracle recorded by John in his Gospel. Spectacular, in that making water into wine is an incredible talent, and yet it was somewhat less than spectacular, because we are told that even the head waiter didn't realise it had happened.
Some people did understand what had taken place, these were people who had the faith to recognise in this miracle a sign pointing to who Jesus was. They understood that they were in the presence of somebody who could not only turn water into wine, but was destined for something truly special.
Jesus said that his hour had not yet come, little did anyone know what it was that Jesus was preparing for - a much greater triumph, over death itself.
Opening Verses of Scripture Matthew 18: 18-20
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell
you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done
for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my
name, I am there among them.’
Collect Prayer for the Day — Before we read we pray
Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Common Worship
God of all mercy your Son proclaimed the good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen. Common Worship Shorter Collect
Loving God, through your Son you have called us to repent of our sin, to
believe the good news, and to celebrate the coming of your kingdom. Grant
that we may hear the call to discipleship and gladly proclaim the gospel to
a waiting world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Bible Reading Genesis 14: 17-20
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Second Reading Revelation 19: 1-10
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing
waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord
God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the
wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands
for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, "Write:
'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And
he added, "These are the true words of God." At this I fell at his feet to
worship him. But he said to me. “Do not do it! I am a fellow-servant with
you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Gospel Reading
John 2: 1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in
Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been
invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him,
"They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus
replied, "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do
whatever he tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by
the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty
gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they
filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the
banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that
had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though
the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom
aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the
cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved
the best till now." This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed
in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their
faith in him.
Post Communion Sentence
Almighty Father, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the
light of the world: may your people illumined by your word and sacraments,
shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and
obeyed to the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns, now and for
ever. Amen.
Commentary
In the Gospel of Mark Jesus begins his ministry with an
exorcism. In John’s Gospel today we read of Jesus turning water into wine.
We know that the Gospel writers didn’t just throw their material together,
it is complied very carefully to make a theological point. So why did John
begin the ministry of Jesus in his Gospel by showing Jesus provide excess
alcohol at a party?
On one level it might even seem frivolous and irresponsible of Jesus,
however the shortage of alcohol at a wedding would have been a serious
embarrassment and more than just an inconvenience. At a wedding you were
supposed to provide plentiful food and wine. Weddings were celebrated for
seven days. People came and went, it was a community event and to run short
of wine would have been a serious embarrassment for the host parents and the
newlyweds. It would have spoiled the occasion for them and the community.
Nevertheless water into wine was nothing like as dramatic as raising
Lazarus. Why doesn’t John begin with a better miracle? Part of the answer
might be that whilst Jesus is performing a miraculous event, and wouldn’t we
all like to be able to do this kind of party trick, yet there is more going
on than manufacture of wine. John calls this is a ‘sign’, and in it lies the
key to understanding the whole of the Gospel of John. Weddings were
poignant, they spoke of God’s coming kingdom
It would be helpful to consider some important phrases used by John.
We must remember that the wedding took place ‘on the third day’. It is
impossible to read these few short words without thinking of the great third
day event of Jesus death and resurrection. The Gospel of John is full of
symbolism and this is just one example. Jesus told Nathanael that he would
see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the
Son of Man. The fulfilment of that promise begins with the sign of Jesus
this week at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, but we are already
pointed towards a more significant event. To those who were willing to
believe the glory of Jesus is shown. The event points to something and those
who are willing to see can perceive beyond the mere physical representation.
Another phrase recorded by John is interesting, Jesus says "My hour has not
yet come." This prepares us for the fact that there is a more important
event to take place, it is the hour of his glorification—the hour of his
death, resurrection, and ascension. It is almost as though John is reminding
the reader, ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet!’
The words of Mary are important as well. She tells the servants 'Do whatever
he tells you.' Mary makes the plea that complete trust can be put in Jesus
without disappointment. Mary is confident that Jesus is able to make things
right..
Finally we need to remember how the miracle, or sign, took place. Jesus took
the stone water jars used for the Jewish purification and demands that they
should be full. Jews regarded seven as a perfect or complete number, and six
was incomplete. This could be seen as a criticism of Judaism, most clearly a
point is being made about the incomplete nature of Judaism without Jesus.
The amount of water held by each jar is translated as twenty or thirty
gallons. The total amount of water, 120-180 gallons, was huge. Only a small
amount of water was needed for purification, so this is a sign of great
generosity and of the overwhelming grace through Jesus. Remember that it is
John who tells us that Jesus, has come "so that everyone who believes in him
may not perish but may have eternal life" (3:16). There is enough of Jesus
generosity to go round for everybody.
Thank God. Charles Royden
Meditation
Irish Churches inspire peace prayers in Unity week
Count to seventy-seven, slowly, and for each digit counted, pray for the
strength to forgive someone who has wronged you: one practical step on the
tough road to reconciliation, suggested in the worship resources launched
this week and prepared by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland for the
annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Churches in Ireland proposed
the theme of reconciliation which will be followed by Churches throughout
the world during the annual focus on unity in January 2006.
Hymns
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As the deer 37
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Give me oil in my lamp 167
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The Kingdom of God 651
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All Praise to our redeeming lord 19
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To God be the glory 708
Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead
Week of Prayer of Christian Unity
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your presence among us, strengthening and encouraging us on our way. Make us aware of your presence in us and responsive to your promptings in all that we do. Grant us the wisdom and humility to recognize your presence in our brothers and sisters. Make us truly one, O Lord. Amen
O King of the Friday, whose limbs were stretched on the Cross, O Lord who did suffer
The bruises, the wounds, the loss, we stretch ourselves beneath the shield of thy might,
some fruit from the tree of thy pass fall on us this night! (Ancient Irish Prayer)
God of holy peace, we are accustomed to the darkness of our world, accustomed to tragedy, sorrow, worry. Like the shepherds sitting in the darkness, expecting nothing, we are familiar with dim hope. Yet we brood over our troubled lives and wicked world, wondering when you will come in power to bring peace to all hearts and lands. Break the grip of darkness; let your peace dawn in our hearts! Look with favour upon your people; grant your blessing. Should angels bring clear messages for our lives, let us with wonder accept your news of love as the generous gift it is. Diane Karay in Pocket Prayers for Peace and Justice
Help us, O Lord, never to nurse the grievance that separates us from you and from one another. Grant us grace to forgive those who have wronged us. May we know that no sin is so great that it cannot be confessed; no wound so deep it cannot be healed, and no sinner so lost that grace cannot bring them home. William Boothh
Lord Jesus Christ,
you call us together in faith and love.
Breathe again the new life
of your Holy Spirit among us,
that we may hear your Holy Word,
pray in your name,
seek unity among Christians
and share more fully in your way of life.
All glory and honour be yours
with the Father, and the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Late have I loved you
though you were always with me.
You call to my heart.
You burst through my deafness.
You scatter my blindness.
I draw breath at your fragrance.
My heart pants for you.
My soul hungers for you.
You touch me and I am consumed
at the thought of your peace.
St Augustine, 354-430
Right Being Wrong
Christians often argue about what they believe.
Some believe one doctrine, some another.
One group strives to convince other groups
That it alone possesses the truth.
Yet God alone possesses the truth,
Because God alone is the truth.
On earth we see only glimpses, hints;
Our knowledge of truth is partial.
So the different groups who argue
May all be right and all be wrong;
Right in seeing one part of the truth;
Wrong in claiming the whole.
Celtic Parables
Additional Material
Different Lectionary Readings
Let love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, love one another with brotherly affection.
God of heaven and earth, whose power is made fully known in your pardoning mercy: ever fill us with your grace, that, entering more fully into your promises, we may come to share in the good things of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."
Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city-a visit required three days.
On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."
The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. (This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God)
What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. (This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God)
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. (This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. )
Go before us Lord, in all we do with your most gracious favour, and guide us with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally by your mercy receive everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Commentary: An Unlikely Hero
The books by Tolkein are currently enjoying a massive revival of popularity, largely due to the release of two major films based on his saga The Lord of the Rings. This week’s reading from the Gospel tells of the calling of some of the disciples. The story of how Jesus assembled the men and women who were to follow Him in life and proclaim the Kingdom after His death, is a moving one. The disciples were drawn from very different regions and social levels. This must have been because Jesus knew that through diversity in personality and qualities the work of Heaven could be done on earth. The Lord of the Rings echoes the Gospel, recounting as it does the calling together of a band of disparate types to achieve a great quest. The novels also have much to teach us about heroism and the selfless giving of oneself for others. The little Hobbit, Frodo, is far from being a conventional hero, he is fond of his quiet life and is only too aware of his modest stature and strength. Yet he is called to be the only one who can lead the task of destroying the evil Ring and he shoulders the load. By giving himself to his calling, he becomes heroic. Tolkein’s novels have also got very powerful things to say about the reality of evil and its dangers, yet they contain within them the certainty that good will triumph over the darkest and most desperate of situations. The Reverend Dr Joan Crossley
Gerard Hughes in his stimulating book, God of Surprises, has interesting and truthful things to say about the unexpectedness of God’s call to us. He argues that God frequently challenges us in totally unexpected ways. More than that, God often surprises us by asking us to do things which we feel we cannot tackle, perhaps the very things that we fear most or would least like to cope with. Yet many people have told me that it is in confronting their fears or weaknesses, that they have grown in their faith and in their humanity. Nothing is beyond us with God’s grace and help. It is God’s will that we should not be prisoners of our fears and sense of inadequacy. I am not of course referring to overcoming genuine phobias, but the smaller fears and inhibitions which if overcome, would help us live more fully as Christians. This is your challenge for this week. Do something new which challenges you. If you are intolerant of “modern music”, perhaps try make yourself listen to what your grandchildren are playing for ten minutes! If you are rather shy and hate making eye contact with strangers, try offering a friendly smile to a person in the Library, for example. Pushing back your personal boundaries not only stops you getting into a rut, but enables you to grow as God’s disciple. For myself, I am going to try and stop evading the truth about the political situation in God’s world, and try listening to Newsnight a couple of times this week. Who knows, I might learn something! The Reverend Dr Joan Crossley
Hymns (Mission Praise))
To God be the Glory 708.
He’s got the whole world in his hands, 225.
All Creatures of our God and King 7,
All my hope on God is founded, 16.
Fight the Good Fight. 143
O God whose beauty is beyond our imagining, and whose power we cannot comprehend: show us your glory as far as we can grasp it, and shield us from knowing more than we can bear until we may look upon you without fear, through Jesus Christ. Amen (Janet Morley)
Bless us Lord as we try to work out new ways of encouraging others to consider whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, whatever is excellent, whatever is praiseworthy. Lord there are so many people who want to stress the lesser things. Help us to praise the things that are precious. Help us to out into words, pictures, actions and so much more deeds that will pull others towards higher aspiration and achievement. (after Peter Comaish)
Let the love of the Father course through our veins. Let the goodness of Christ pulse though our bodies. Let the power of the Spirit flow through our souls. Let the wonder of God resonate through our minds. Glory be to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and through all eternity. Amen.