[Propertalk] 2 Epiphany - Jan. 17, 2010 - Sermon quotes - Part 6

[Joe Parrish]

Could this story of the persistent widow be based upon the wedding using Mary as his model of persistence?  Could Jesus be reflecting upon his own mother's determination as she, a Middle Eastern widow, raised her family alone?

Regardless of our conjectures we know one thing for certain; this was a miracle of persistence and there were many "miracles of persistence" in the life of Jesus: Bartimaeus, the blind beggar at the gates of Jericho; the Syro-Phoenician women who begged for her possessed daughter; even, the restoration of Lazarus was a test in Martha and Mary's persistence.

However, the persistence demanded by these miracles is never out of a sense of pride or cruelty on the Lord's part.  Sometimes, recipients of the miraculous are asked to wait a little longer in order to strengthen their faith or the faith of those around them.

http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/John/jn_02_01-11.html

Jerry Goebel, jerry at onefamilyoutreach.com
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The story of Jesus changing water into wine is a traditional passage for Epiphany. It concludes with the statement that Jesus revealed (phaneroo -- a verb that is a close cousin of epi-phany) his glory.
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In the first century, a typical wedding feast lasted at least seven days. This wedding may have been its third day -- so there are a number of days left for the celebrating.

http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/john2x1.htm

Brian Stoffregen
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Barbara Ehrenreich: 
"...the perception of an action is closely tied to the execution of the same action by the beholder. We cannot see a dancer, for example, without unconsciously starting up the neural processes that are the basis of our own participation in the dance."

In other words, to see Jesus' baptismal water flowing in a wedding scene calls us to perceive it flowing through us. 

http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007/01/second-sunday-after-epiphany-c4.html

Wesley White, 2007
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Jesus is playing with words and giving his mother a clue to his true nature; something like, "In any case, mother, the day when your son will usher in the new age with its free flowing wine, is still in the future."

http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/sunday2cg.html

Bryan Findlayson
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Unlike many of his so-called 'followers' over the years, Jesus is no kill-joy. When Manning Clark in his monumental 'A History of Australia' (Melbourne University Press, '87, Vol.6, p.156) writes: 'The parson and the priest stood between the people and the pursuit of pleasure', he sums up what has often been the case. 

http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/laterallyluke/LLKJN2111EP2.html

Brian McGowan
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-"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." In this particular gospel story, Jesus brings the good wine. The new wine of Jesus' grace, truth and love replace the inferior wine of the Old Testament rules, regulations and rituals. The old wine is the Law; the new and good wine is the Gospel. 
The good wine in this story is similar to the "living water" in the story about the woman at the well

http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_the_marriage_at_cana_GA.htm

Edward F. Markquart
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