2nd Sunday after Epiphany 20.1.19 Enrichment
God has revealed Himself to us over centuries. He has not
told us everything at once.
He delayed His coming to the Jews as their Messiah.
Then having come to the
earth He delayed His public ministry.
Then, having begun that, He revealed only gradually His full
plan to be crucified, to rise, to establish His Church.
Why so much delay? He was trying at each of these times to
prepare people to take in the full meaning of His coming; so that they would
grasp the full extent of salvation.
He would not be just a military leader for the Jews; nor
just someone who could miraculously provide free bread, or medical care.
People want to be rescued from their troubles, but when it
comes to God we tend to cut Hm off too soon. Once we have what we want we are
out the door, like the nine ungrateful lepers.
We don’t wait around to be told what else needs to happen,
such as that we need to turn away from sin!
We cannot be saved fully unless we follow to the end what
God has in mind for us.
He wants to save us within; in the deepest part of our
being, the soul, where we decide whether to serve God (like Michael and the
angels) or reject Him (like Lucifer and his demons).
If God delays any blessing to us it will be to give us
something better, or to prepare us more deeply for the blessing we seek.
Good is stronger if a little slower. It is easy to cause
harm quickly; not so easy to establish good in a situation.
Cana was instant. Its effects on us will be slower. It is
not just a better drink He is offering us. That miracle symbolises the complete
re-making of the human race He has come to achieve.
Gradually we come to a greater trust in Him; to obey Him
without question; to be humble and grateful before Him at all times; to take
our place in His Body without seeking individual glory.
At first we just want food and good health! But eventually we
concede that an improvement in our character is worth more than just a
short-term physical blessing.
Perfected, enriched and brought to full potential - this is
how God made us. He did not want us to be mediocre. Humble yes, but in terms of
wine, we would be sparkling - with every grace and virtue.
The foundations are in place; we can build on them. We come
at the later end of God’s revelation. He has come, has died, has risen; now it
is only for Him to come again.
For us, as with all who have gone before us, we wait on God,
not seeking to rush His plans.
We would not tell the artist to hurry up his masterpiece;
nor shall we tell God what to do or when. Our job is to be there for Him when
He needs us.
We grasp His idea of salvation, which is essentially to be
free from sin. He saves us from sin and therefore death (of the soul).
The main quest is personal holiness, being free from sin,
willing to obey and trust.
We play a part in keeping the Church alive and vibrant. We
keep the lights on; maintaining the visible and sacramental link with Heaven – so
that the Saviour can save.
We can help others to be patient with God, and not give up
at the first hurdle. It is good for them to wait! They may not believe it, but
they will see if they persevere.
If we hold firm we will share in a glorious outcome, when
finally everything is in place.
‘If we endure with Him, we
shall reign with Him’ (2 Tm 11-12).
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