Today’s Readings: Psalm 45; Isaiah 52:3-6; John 2:1-11; Revelation 2:1-7; Psalm 44
When it comes to the portrayal of relationships in our society, we often put our emphasis on the wrong end of the relationship. Many movies and television shows, for instance, portray relationships in such a way that it seems as if the most powerful stage of the relationship is at the beginning. They focus on the magic of the first kiss, the first days where it feels virtually impossible to be out of one another’s presence, and one’s inability to think of anything other than your significant other. While those initial feelings are indeed powerful, individuals in a long term relationship know that they are hardly the best feelings. Many of the best feelings come years later in ways that can only happen when a relationship has grown and matured. The time when you’re coming down with a cold and your spouse/partner instinctively comes home with your favorite remedy. The first moments after a big fight when both parties realize their love for each other has to come before either of the egos involved and you make up. The time spent in each other’s presence – in complete silence! Each of those experiences convicts me of the fact that things in a healthy relationship don’t get worse over time – they get better! Of course, that principle doesn’t just hold in our relationships with other human beings; it holds in our relationship with God. I was reminded of this principle through today’s Gospel reading of John. Shortly after Jesus’ performs the miracle of turning water to wine at the wedding in Cana, the host was said to have remarked: “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now” (John 2:10 from The Message). Perhaps you feel as if you’ve gotten in a bit of a rut in your spiritual life - perhaps you’ve wondered if the power of those first days in your relationship with God has dulled. If that’s the case, hold on to today’s story from John and give thanks that we are in the sort of relationship with God that has the ability to get better over time: if only we let it. Til next time…
When it comes to the portrayal of relationships in our society, we often put our emphasis on the wrong end of the relationship. Many movies and television shows, for instance, portray relationships in such a way that it seems as if the most powerful stage of the relationship is at the beginning. They focus on the magic of the first kiss, the first days where it feels virtually impossible to be out of one another’s presence, and one’s inability to think of anything other than your significant other. While those initial feelings are indeed powerful, individuals in a long term relationship know that they are hardly the best feelings. Many of the best feelings come years later in ways that can only happen when a relationship has grown and matured. The time when you’re coming down with a cold and your spouse/partner instinctively comes home with your favorite remedy. The first moments after a big fight when both parties realize their love for each other has to come before either of the egos involved and you make up. The time spent in each other’s presence – in complete silence! Each of those experiences convicts me of the fact that things in a healthy relationship don’t get worse over time – they get better! Of course, that principle doesn’t just hold in our relationships with other human beings; it holds in our relationship with God. I was reminded of this principle through today’s Gospel reading of John. Shortly after Jesus’ performs the miracle of turning water to wine at the wedding in Cana, the host was said to have remarked: “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now” (John 2:10 from The Message). Perhaps you feel as if you’ve gotten in a bit of a rut in your spiritual life - perhaps you’ve wondered if the power of those first days in your relationship with God has dulled. If that’s the case, hold on to today’s story from John and give thanks that we are in the sort of relationship with God that has the ability to get better over time: if only we let it. Til next time…
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