Don't Forget to Check the Wine - February 22
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 41, 52; PM Psalm 44; Deut. 8:11-20; Heb. 2:11-18; John 2:1-12
Under the altar in our Nave are three different Eucharistic Visitor boxes that we keep stocked with wine and bread. Some are consecrated and some are not. On Sunday, after church, I grabbed the last box under the altar to go visit a couple and bring them communion. Prior to Covid, there were pastoral visits most weeks and the boxes were frequently changed. However, a year ago, we created little take-home kits for our Lay Eucharistic Visitors, so only the clergy used the three boxes under the altar, and I doubt any more than two were out at one time. It’s been an exceptionally busy few days and without preparation, I just grabbed the last box. One of my clergy colleagues suggested that the kit might be old, but a parishioner showed up as I grabbed the box, and it didn’t really register what she was implying at the time.
Fast forward an hour later, and I am sitting down with this couple and I am beginning the Eucharistic prayer and it hits that the wine I have, might be really old. We consecrate the wine and bread and as I take communion, I intentionally intinct (where you dip the consecrated bread in the consecrated wine). And now, there is no question in my mind that the wine is old, even with just a few drops, the bitter acidic taste is jarring to the palette. As I turn to the couple and administer communion, the words come right out: “The Body of Christ, oh and you may want to wait and intinct too.” She looks at me, smiles, and knows just what I have done. And at that moment, the usual sipper became one who intincts. There are lots of classes that are not offered at seminary that should be.
Today’s Gospel is the Wedding Feast of Cana. It is the first miracle in the Gospel of John, and it is only in John’s Gospel that we hear this story. In the story, there is a wedding feast and the couple runs out of wine. Jesus takes water jars and turns the water into wine. But it isn’t any wine, but the absolute finest wine. Many scholars believe that the true meaning of this story is not a miracle magic trick by Jesus, but really an ancient Eucharistic liturgy and water turning to wine, is really about the early Christian theology of the Eucharist which connects us to God as a bride and bridegroom. As Episcopalians, we believe that God is really present in the Eucharist, and in our celebration of Eucharist, the wine turns into God’s absolute finest, grace that nourishes and redeems our soul.
As we celebrated communion on Sunday, I was struck by just how sacred and special our gathering together as the Body of Christ truly is. And as we celebrated communion, I didn’t just believe that God was there, but could feel God’s presence in the Eucharist. And it hit me, that not even a silly mistake could take away from God’s transcendent presence. See, God breaks through whether we get it perfect or not. Sometimes, it even feels like God is more present when we mess it up.
While I suspect I’ll never forget to check the wine of a communion kit again, I hope we can all be reminded that God doesn’t care if we get it all right or not. As long as we are willing to show up, God will be there too.
John+
Question for Self-Reflection: What memorable experiences have you had during Communion? How has that shaped your faith?
Daily Challenge: Reread John’s Gospel for today. Do you now see the connection to the Eucharist?