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drink up

A little while ago I was re-reading the story of Jesus' first miracle: the turning of water into wine at the wedding at Cana in John 2. Nice little story. It has been used to illustrate everything from Jesus' approval of liquor to God caring about the smaller details of our lives. At this last reading just over a week ago, I asked God what the point of the story was, and the answer was unmistakable: It is a wedding! Jesus celebrates weddings! Anyplace there is love, commitment, mutual submission, a coming together of differences, unity, the joining of one to another, oneness, family, and unselfish unconditional affection, Jesus is present, celebrating, adding something to the occasion, turning the ordinary into the best. He loves weddings so much he instituted the celebratory institution himself as a picture of his desire to be one with us. One of the most intimate pictures of Jesus is as the bridegroom.

Being the church or body of Jesus is so much more than holding meetings or being involved in programs. It is about living in that wedding attitude, about always coming together even when we would rather exert our individuality, about giving ourselves to one another, of pursuing oneness with God and with others in all the ways we can and knowing it is such a worthy endeavour that Jesus will always infuse it with his extraordinary spirit.

This bottle of wine, now empty, was given to me on my birthday by a good friend. It was enjoyed by a small group of friends and family a few days later.
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