Jesus turned water into wine. Can you imagine witnessing that? Imagine that you’re at a wedding; a few hours have passed and you walk to the bar—only to find that the Corona Premium has run out! Then out of nowhere, this man steps forward and gently lays his hands on the bar-top. Corona Premium labels come into view, replacing the PBR and black-label ‘BEER’ bottles. You’ve seen this, keeping in mind that you may have had a few yourself. You are amazed. Not only did the bar get restocked, but it was done so with the same beer you desired…the ‘good stuff’ in your opinion. Note: Let’s not get into which beer is good or not; let’s focus on the point…
That was Jesus’ first miracle. He turned water into wine—good wine—and everyone was amazed. Then he ventured out into the surrounding areas and performed more miracles, each with their own unique and mesmerizing aftereffects. Jesus’ lore grows by the day as people recall and recite his most recent actions until one day, suddenly people are just less impressed. Much like the first iPhone to the newest rendition, people forgot the awe with which they saw that first miracle and started to think of those moments as commonplace. They got used to it. They came to expect it. They wanted more. “Yeah, but what else can you do, Jesus? We’ve seen the wine trick…that’s old hat. You got anything more than that?”
Jesus even goes as far as to bring people back from the dead. I’d definitely place that type of miracle in the ‘Uh, yeah, hold my beer while I do THIS’ category. Still, people wanted more. He feeds five thousand with a glorified Lunchables; people want more. He walks on water and calms the storm; people want more.
He gives up his life, in pain and agony, for the salvation of the world. People want more.
How did we become these people? And better yet, how do we return to the awe and wonder associated with our devotion to God? Being God has got to be exhausting—much like a parent that works 4 jobs to provide food and lodging for their children, only to be plagued by incessant requests for a new car or ‘fun money’ for the weekend. Thankfully, God doesn’t get exhausted, or we’d all be in a world of hurt…more so than normal. There’s still hope for us, though. There are moments throughout the year that can point to a better way of belief, a stronger bond with God.
We have Advent—anticipatory days spent awaiting the coming of the Christ child.
We have Christmas—twelve days of jubilation regarding the Incarnation.
We have Epiphany—the revelation of God to the world, the great Theophany.
We have Lent—a period of time in which we can reflect and, with God’s help, rehabilitate our wayward ways.
We have Easter—the promise of new and unending life, ever-sustaining, never failing.
We have Pentecost—a time of fire from the Holy Spirit that, given the permission, will invade our mouths so that our lips may proclaim God’s praise.
We have Ordinary time—a time to revel and grow into the previous seasons’ actions.
So, I guess instead of saying there are moments, we could say that there is an ongoing journey with God if we simply refuse to allow the liturgical seasons to morph into ‘old hats’. We must take time to make meaningful discoveries throughout the year that will bolster our faith and allow us one step closer to the God of miracles, the Jesus of salvation, the Holy Spirit of our very souls.
If we do this, miracles make marked impressions upon our being, and cease becoming something we’ve already seen. They take new light, shining their extraordinary benefits of grace upon us and we actually take notice in appreciation. Holy Week is another moment in which we can do this. If we approach Holy Week with the mindset that it isn’t just a chance for pomp and circumstance, but an opportunity to joyfully enter the church, agonizingly witness the atrocities committed by our own, and be present at the foot of the cross so that we can witness the glory of resurrection…we may just be changed by that resurrection…
…in our home of Resurrection. And we won’t need anything more.
Faithfully,
Fr. Sean+