WEEK FOUR

February 28- March 5
Theme: Demonstrating the Kingdom: Signs & Wonders

People flocked to Jesus by the thousands to hear him teach and to experience the many wonders he performed. During his time on earth Christ continually demonstrated his miraculous control over both natural and spiritual worlds. Jesus’ ministry focused on the establishment of God’s kingdom by defeating the powers of darkness and death. Miracles were a vital weapon in Christ’s battle against the forces of evil, an important sign that he was indeed the Messiah. These signs and wonders are integral to the Gospel narratives, to who Christ was 2000 years ago, and to who he is today.Through his unbelievable actions our Lord demonstrated that by trusting him, dramatic change and abundant kingdom living are possible.

Sunday, February 28
Scripture: John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

REVEALING THE GLORY OF GOD

In his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius of Loyola encourages exercitants (those undertaking the spiritual exercises), after prayerful preparation of the heart and mind, to imaginatively enter the gospel stories as a way of meeting Jesus afresh, of experiencing him and his perfect love. This is a practice rich with possibilities. For those of us who have known and followed Jesus for years, this imaginative entrance into the gospel stories can revitalize and refresh our reading of Scripture. It can help our hearts to engage with the living and breathing Christ we find in the stories and welcome him in. Will you join me as I wait upon Jesus of Nazareth at the wedding in Cana?

* * *

I stood to the side, observing the revelry, but not part of it. It wasn’t my place. Mine was to serve and remain unnoticed.

So it was that I was one of the first to realize the wine would run dry well before the seventh day of the feast. I would have done anything to help him, but what could I do? I didn’t desire shame or ridicule for my master. I was part of his household and his shame was mine.

But fill the pots with water? What could that accomplish? Did the carpenter realize those jars were heavy even when empty? Add a couple hundred pounds of sloshing, unwieldy weight and they were near impossible to hold.

Any other man and I would have refused, but there was something in his eyes that convinced me.

I marshaled the other servants and together we filled the pots. With each gallon the weight increased until it was all that four of us could manage just to lift and carry each pot. But we filled them just as he asked.

I nearly refused again when he told me to take a cup of that water to the banquet master, but again his eyes convinced me.

So with a shaking hand I gave the cup to the banquet master and when his eyes widened, I flinched, expecting him to lash out. Instead, he hurried off to find the bridegroom, saying only, “Come with me,” before dashing through the throng of guests.

I skirted the crowd, dancing around the fringes until I eventually caught up with him in time to hear him say, “But you have kept the good wine until now.”

Wine? What wine?

I looked back then and saw the carpenter, a small smile playing around the edges of his mouth, and I believed.

* * *

Try it for yourself. Place yourself within the story and watch Jesus as he interacts with those around him: the servants, the guests, his disciples, his mother. After you’ve done so, respond in prayer to the Christ you’ve encountered in the narrative. Speak to the Living One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank him for who he is and ask him to show you his glory.

PRAYER

Oh glorious God, creative and free,
redeem and restore—give me eyes to see
the peace, joy, and life that you graciously bring
for from, through, and to you is everything.
Show me your love O most perfect vine
as you turn my soul’s water to marvelous wine.
Amen.

Adam B. Shaeffer, Alumnus, Institute of Spiritual Formation, Doctoral Candidate, University of Durham