So far in our Epiphany series about the disciplines of the Way of Love, we have found that Learning
is more than just discovering an answer. Our instructions on how we Go
out into the world are part of our baptismal call as beloved members of God’s family.
This week we consider the idea of what it means to Bless.
Interestingly the word Bless comes from the Old English
words blēdsian, blētsian. The root of
these is blōd: ‘blood’. How can the
word ‘bless’ be related to ‘blood’? Miriam Webster suggests that it comes from
the use of blood in consecration as referenced in Leviticus 8. “So Moses took some of the anointing oil
and some of the blood which was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his
garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he
consecrated Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and the garments of his sons
with him.” Of course, the use of blood in sacrifice and worship is found
throughout ancient history, including at the Cross.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he reminds that church
that their Blessings is found in, “the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has
made both [Jews and Gentiles] into one and has broken down the dividing wall,
that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:13-14)
Current usage of the word Bless has lost that original
connection with blood and sacrifice. We now say that we Bless someone by asking
for God to ‘look favorably on’ them, or to praise God, or to give thanks. The
word may also be used in a more lighthearted way when we say, “Bless her little
heart” or “bless my soul”. We might comment that someone was a Blessing
or that we were able to Bless someone by giving money or
helping out.
The Gospel for this Sunday in the Revised Common Lectionary
tells of a blessing that came to a young couple. We hear that “there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and
the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to
the wedding.” Then social catastrophe: “the wine gave out.” This was a great
embarrassment. and “the mother of Jesus
said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern
is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’
Despite her son’s response, “His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (This mosaic at the National Shrine of St. John Paul II by Fr. Marko Rupnik shows all the players at The wedding at Cana).
We learn that “there
were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding
twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He
said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they
took it.”
The servants must have been a little concerned as they
watched the steward taste the wine. After all they knew that it was only water in the jars. They must have breathed a sigh of amazement and relief
when “the steward called the bridegroom
and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior
wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first
of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples
believed in him.” (John 2:1-11)
I wonder whether I would have been as quick to obey the
request of a wedding guest. The first request wasn’t so out of the ordinary,
the second one was very strange. These servants did what they were told.
We too may feel that we are asked to do something that is
unusual for and by God. We are often tempted to think we must have all the
proper things before we try something new in a ministry, or in life. In the Life for Leaders blog post on January 14, Roy Goble asks, “Have you ever achieved 100 percent of
what you attempted as a leader? Your failure to do that doesn’t mean you should
attempt less however—it means you should attempt more!” He notes, “Most
leadership begins as inspiration…If you’re not aiming too high—both at work and
as a disciple—you might be missing out.”
Goble points to the story of David and Goliath
to make his point. David used the simple slingshot and rock to kill the giant.
His faith-filled action Blessed the army of Israel with
victory.
Using the simple ingredient of water, Jesus blessed the newly married couple at
Cana. The gathering was blessed with the ‘best wine’. Jordan
Ware notes in the January 17 d365 meditation, “This text says that it wasn’t
just any water that he turned into wine, but water used for Jewish cleansing
rituals before offering prayers and sacrifices. The wine that was offered,
then, was not just for celebration, but for preparing the people to worship
God. God’s abundance prepares our hearts for worship, and makes us ready to
offer sacrifices, confident that through this abundance, we will never go
thirsty.” We could also say, “God’s abundance prepares our hearts for worship,
and makes us ready to BLESS, confident that through God’s Blessing,
we will never go thirsty.”
In his ministry, Jesus called unlikely disciples (fishermen)
and used everyday things to Bless those in need. God continues
to ask us to Bless our world using the things we have on hand. God invites
us to use our talents, our time, our hearts to Bless each other and to
break “down the dividing wall, that is,
the hostility between us.”
What ordinary thing in your life does God want to use to Bless
those around you?
Has God asked you to do something that seems, on the
surface, to not make sense?
What water jars are you being asked to fill so that the new
wine can Bless others?
