Be an Obediant Servant

"They have no wine." That is what Mary said to Jesus but what was she really saying? Perhaps this: "Jesus, I am happy to see that you came to the wedding feast and that you brought your fishing friends. They are having a good time, but, we are out of wine. I want to remind you that there is a tradition that the guest always gives a gift to the bride and groom. I guess all I really want to say is, there is no more wine." That is not what Mary intended when she said, "They have no wine." Rather, she wanted to say, "It's time." You have been in Galilee for thirty years where you lived a hidden and simple life of work and prayer. It is time the world knows who you are. Jesus, in so many words replied, "If I do this there will be no turning back. This will be a death sentence for me. Once they find out who I am they will want to kill me. If I do this, salvation will begin this very day."

Jesus then took the servers aside. No, they were not just servers; they were obedient servants. They did everything our Lord told them to do. "Fill the six water jars." This task was not going to be as easy as you would think. They had to go to the well. Often it was located at the bottom of the hill. The servants filled the water jars and carried them back up the hill. If I were one of the servants, I may have a few thoughts about this. Thinking to myself: "Perhaps if I pour out some of the water the jars will be a lot lighter to carry. By the way, why are we doing this? We do not need water. We need wine. How is this going to be of any help? I have to get back to the guests and the headwaiter is going to get very mad we all took off on a wild goose chase." No, the waiters were obedient servants. They got to the top of the hill and didn't spill a drop. I can picture them out of breath, backs all sweaty from the physical task and puzzled. Then Jesus told them to draw some of the water and bring it to the headwaiter. Another leap of faith: "You want me to give the water to my boss?" They do, and see that the water is now wine. Do you know what the waiters did when they saw the wine? They gasped. They turned their heads and looked at our Lord. Their eyes were wide open in awe. They knew they were in the presence of God.

My superior asked me to come to Boston to fix up Saint Clement's and the seminary. Before I came we did a feasibility study to assess the damage. The architects gave us their report. They said, "You can't do it. You do not have enough money. You are far short of what you are going to need." I gave the report to my superior and I told him what they said. He said to me, "Peter, do what you can." Do what I can? I didn't want to be on a project that was going to fail. I had cold feet. I didn't want to go. So, I went to a monastery and I met with a monk. "Do you have a minute?" I asked. I told him the situation and added, "I really like where I am working. The people like me and I am very comfortable. What do you think?" He said to me, "Peter, do you remember the first time you did prison ministry? You were in the prison, the guards were staring at you, and the inmates were looking at your collar. Did you have any idea what you were doing?" I said, "Honestly? No." He continued, "Do you remember just after your ordination when you went to the home of a mother and father who just lost their little girl in a tragic accident? Did you have any idea how you were going to comfort them? Did you have any words to tell them?" I said, "No." The monk said to me, "Go to Boston and you will need God again."

I can tell you something about an obedient servant. Obedient servants do not have a clue. They have no idea what is going on. They are out of the loop and blind to the plan. But God loves obedient servants. He loves to do great things with them. If you ever want to gasp in awe, if you ever what to have the wide eyes of amazement in your life. If you ever want to feel the presence of God in your life. There is one sure way: Be an obedient servant.

Fr. Peter

January 17, 2010 | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time