Sermon Notes, Epi +2 (C)

 We are in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:

Rooted in World Council of Churches; going for well over 100 years.
A time dedicated to celebrating ecumenism:
Which is when we come together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity.
Rather than being competitive, Christians are called to be collaborative:

Important: the world is a divisive place; where we all carry stress and grief and anxiety:
From global issues like climate change or economic instability;
The political upheaval and uncertainty;
The people telling us who to blame instead of helping us to find ways to work together in a shared humanity.

In the midst of THIS:
We have this week of intentional prayer for unity.

Through prayer.
Unity is important: it holds up the beauty of many to increase the benefit of all.
In unity, we aren’t asked to lose anything of ourselves: we are open to being enhanced by the other.
In uniting in prayer, we are coming together, in conversation with God, to say we’re intent on peace, love, grace.
Doesn’t mean our differences aren’t still there: they are
Means we value our shared faith over our them.

It’s like our faith is a tiny candle we all have – a birthday candle…
On our own, we get a hint of light and joy: which is good; but it may not be all that we need to overcome the darkness we see.
But when we come together: we have a lot of candles. A lot of light.
A lot of hope:
And a lot of opportunity to bless:
Through unity.

How lovely to get this week, aligning when our scriptures delve into the fruits of unity.

Imagery of marriage: the coming together of 2 people, through love; bringing with them their families and friends, into a strengthening of common life together.
A wedding doesn’t begin a relationship; it celebrates it.

It brings out the best in all people.
Like Jesus shows us in today’s scripture:

This, his first miracle: at a wedding.
A time of love and joy.
And, in the biblical world, a week-long celebration.
No wonder they ran low on wine!

But the way that Jesus uses his gifts not for himself, but for others:
And I don’t just mean hospitality of providing beverage.

He makes the huge amount of water into wine –
So that the groom and his family will not be embarrassed.

Upholding dignity
Embracing compassion
Showering grace.

Quality of wine – superior: shows higher esteem for the guests

SO much we can learn from that simple analogy of wine!
That we are called to respond to others’ need, in ways that serve dignity, without making it known.
That we can go above expectations when doing good.
Even with something so simple as wine.

Deeper spiritual learning as well:
Think of those empty vessels:
Filled with something very basic
That became something extraordinary – through power of God

And even more rich is when we realise that we are vessels:
And that even when we feel depleted, emptied, useless –
God is waiting to fill us up.
With the others around us;
As together we receive acts of ministry, and engage in acts of ministry.

Imagine yourself as that empty pot/vessel:
Going to be satiated by God
And to be more than we can ask or imagine
And then to be shared.

Opportunity abounds!
It takes some discernment:
What is it WE need to live into that joy and celebration of communing with Christ?
What is it WE need to be filled – what is our water?
What do WE need to be open enough to let Jesus act through us?

Because the other part of this opportunity is to go into the world, seeking out ways to serve others:
To pray with and for folks who are feeling empty.
To do all we can to fill their need.
To maintain and uphold dignity
To act with grace
To give more than is expected, in ways that don’t glorify ourselves: but glorify God.

For in God: we are united.
In God: we are family

In God: we are equipped, empowered, encouraged to DO something.
Together:
We pray.
We support.
We act.
As the people of God: we are called to the feast – to the promise – to the opportunity.

So let us come to the feast:
Receiving and sharing; praying and blessing;
The Lord of the feast is waiting for us all.