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<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>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?</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4>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.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>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.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><A
href="http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/John/jn_02_01-11.html"><FONT
size=4>http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/John/jn_02_01-11.html</FONT></A></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>Jerry
Goebel, </FONT><A
style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single"
href="mailto:jerry@onefamilyoutreach.com"><FONT
size=4>jerry@onefamilyoutreach.com</FONT></A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>- - - -
-</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>The
story of Jesus changing water into wine is a traditional passage for Epiphany.
It concludes with the statement that Jesus <B>revealed</B> (<I>phaneroo</I> -- a
verb that is a close cousin of <I>epi-phany</I>) his glory.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4><></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line">
<P align=justify><FONT size=4>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.</FONT></P></DIV></SPAN>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><A
href="http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/john2x1.htm"><FONT
size=4>http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/john2x1.htm</FONT></A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>Brian
Stoffregen<BR>- - - - -</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>Barbara
Ehrenreich: </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>"...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."<BR><BR>In other words, to see Jesus' baptismal water flowing in a
wedding scene calls us to perceive it flowing through us. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><A
href="http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007/01/second-sunday-after-epiphany-c4.html"><FONT
size=4>http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007/01/second-sunday-after-epiphany-c4.html</FONT></A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>Wesley
White, 2007</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>- - - -
-</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>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."<BR></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/sunday2cg.html">http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/sunday2cg.html</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>Bryan
Findlayson</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>- - - -
-</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>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.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/laterallyluke/LLKJN2111EP2.html">http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/laterallyluke/LLKJN2111EP2.html</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>Brian
McGowan</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>- - - -
-</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT
size=4>-"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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText>
<P><FONT size=4>The good wine in this story is similar to the “living water” in
the story about the woman at the well</FONT></P></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_the_marriage_at_cana_GA.htm">http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_the_marriage_at_cana_GA.htm</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"><FONT size=4>Edward
F. Markquart</FONT><FONT face=Arial><BR>- - - - -</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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