Think about how the tribe of Israel must have felt.  After their ancestors were freed from bondage in Egypt and wandered as nomads in the wilderness for 40 years, reached the Promised Land where everything they needed, they had in abundance.  Then, after generations of living an agrarian life style, believing their God was their protector – the unthinkable happened and the Babylonians conquered the people of Israel and banished them from the Holy City.    It made no sense to them, but the prophets helped them to understand the covenant.  Their God had been faithful to them; the people had not been faithful to God.  The people had worshiped false idols, they had placed more value on their property than their neighbors, and they did not care for each other as God had commanded.

            The prophets also reminded the people that God was a loving and forgiving God and the covenant could be restored and her salvation could shine forth like a burning torch once again. 

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;

God was not being vengeful when he took the Promised Land away from the people, he was punishing them as a parent takes away a toy from a child to get his attention and teach him a lesson.  The prophet’s message in this passage is one of forgiveness and hope for the penitent.  “You shall no more be termed, Forsaken.”  And, then the prophet uses the metaphor of marriage to tell the people what awaits them when they are faithful to the covenant:  “so shall your God rejoice over you as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride.”

            In John’s gospel, the story is told of the first miracle of Jesus.  It takes place at a wedding and it too reminds us that God loves us “as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride.”    At the wedding party, the bridegroom runs out of wine – an act that could turn a joyous occasion into a shameful experience for the newlyweds.  It was not merely an inconvenience it could have ruined the lives of these two people and their families.  Mary turns to Jesus for help, and he turns the water into wine.  The significance of this miracle is magnified by the fact that he turns not one stone jar, but six jars each holding up to 30 gallons of water into the finest of wines - that’s 180 gallons of wine! 

            This miracle demonstrates that God showers us with more love than we need or can even imagine.  Yet, like the people of Israel we, too, sometimes forget that all that we have is a gift from God and we place more importance on the gifts than the giver.  Here, in the miracle at Cana, Jesus uses the water from the jars used for the Jewish ritual of purification.  The water that would have been used to purify, to cleanse the people of their sins, is now blood red – foreshadowing the blood of Christ himself which is to be shed for our forgiveness. 

            In first Corinthians, Paul writes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the people in the church.  He notes that different people have been given different gifts:  gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and discernment among others. It is easy to see how these three gifts are needed and it is also easy to see how faith, another gift he lists is important in the life of the church.  But the gift of prophecy he mentions is one best understood as it was used in Paul’s time. Prophets were members of the community who understood God’s call to the people better than anyone else.  They saw clearly when the people were not following the covenant and they spoke out.  And, as in today’s reading from Isaiah, they tried to rally the troops and bring them back into the covenantal relationship the people of Israel had with God.  Prophets were not preachers – they were more.  I can remember being told in seminary that every priest is not a prophet, but all are called to be prophetic at times.  Sometimes we have to say what is unpopular, but true.  I can now say that there are more prophets than preachers. Some of you are prophets. Saying what needs to be said, reminding us to care for others. Over the past few months I’ve heard some concern expressed by people in the community and people in this congregation that St. Andrew’s has turned inward.  It is true that things did not go the way you had hoped when you built this building.  People left the church, a splinter Anglican Church was formed in this community and the expected growth has not occurred.  By the time the basic expenses and the building note is paid each month there is very little remaining to support needed causes in our community. 

            This church has experienced several years of conflict.  Yet, Paul also writes to the people of Corinth about the gift of healing.  In the time I have been here I have seen a great deal of healing occur.  People are speaking to each other who had quit speaking.  Attendance and pledges are up despite the number of losses we experienced last year.  We may not be to the point yet were outreach is a significant dollar amount, but there are many positive signs that the Spirit is healing our wounds and this congregation is preparing to do what God has called it to do – to share the gospel. 

            I have seen that outreach is a vital part of the life of this church – though much it is occurs in the community by individual members of this congregation.  Angel Food Ministry represents the heart of our collective mission – but I do believe this church is on the verge of being able to do more, to make a bigger difference. 

Remember, the prophets offer us a gift – the gift of seeing clearly what God would have us to do.  God wants us to share with the same abundance that Jesus did in Cana – to give more than is needed so that life can truly be a celebration!  I believe we are like the people of Israel in exile.  We are now very close to the time when we unite in service and develop new programs and ministry to share the good news!

Let us pray,

Lord in your infinite wisdom you have given each of us gifts that can be used to fulfill your will.  Help us, we pray, to use our gifts for unity of purpose that all we do might bring us closer together.  Help us to strengthen our community and continue to heal the divides so that this church might be one body.   Help us to find common purpose in our work that together we might grow in faith and love and serve others in new ways.  All this we ask in the name of your son, our savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.