Drama-Free-Zone

Homily for January 17, 2016 (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11

If you haven't experienced it directly, you have probably seen it via YouTube or social media:  wedding drama!  It may be the drunken uncle who falls into the five-tiered wedding cake; a battle for the bridal bouquet worthy of a UFC cage match; the omnipresent (and omni-irritating) wedding photographer or videographer; the groom who forgot the ring; and of course, "Bridezilla."

Today's gospel passage features some wedding drama of its own:  in the middle of the celebration, they run out of wine!  When Mary discretely pointed this out to Jesus, he rather curtly told her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me?  My hour has not yet come."  His mother, who knew his purpose and had treasured many things in her heart over the years, responded by telling the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." It was her way of telling him:  "Son, ready or not, your hour has arrived."

Jesus then changed water into wine--the best wine--the first of seven signs in John's gospel that will build and test the faith of his disciples and many others.  These include signs of healing (curing the official's son, 4:46-54; a paralyzed man, 5:1-5; and a man born blind, 9:1-41); signs of mastery over the natural world (the multiplication of loaves, 6:1-15; and walking on the water, 6:16-21); and even the ultimate sign, raising his friend Lazarus from the dead (11:1-44).

It shouldn't be surprising that weddings can be filled with drama.  They involve a (hopefully) one-time event and people who are important to us.  People often invest a lot of emotional energy, time and other resources into making sure that the moment will be special and memorable--for all the right reasons!

Similarly, life in the church can also be filled with drama, for it involves something very personal--faith--as well as people and things that are important to us.  In the early church of Corinth, part of that drama centered on the importance that people placed on various gifts and ministries.  Many in the church tended to be drawn toward those gifts and ministries with some "bling:" speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing.

St. Paul tried to remedy this distorted view by reminding the community that all true spiritual gifts, forms of service and workings were rooted in God.  Just as importantly, they were not created or given by God for self-aggrandizement but rather for the good of the community.   The Spirit apportions her gifts as she wills; and we are called to humbly recognize, accept and utilize what we have been given for the good of all.

There is already plenty of drama in the world.  Staying spiritually centered and remembering that we are humble stewards of God's gifts can help us make the church a "drama free zone." +