The Taste of an Abundance of Grace

Sundays sermon was based on my reflection I posted last week. It can be listened to here.

Life was hard

life was very hard

it had gotten harder lately

each day defined by back breaking poverty

the struggle just to eat

to live

but there are moments when that can be put down

moments when the daily grind to survive can be put to one side

forgotten for a moment

lost in moments of celebration

like when two families agree on the marriage of children

date set

village gathers

bringing their koha

to add to the putea

to add to what meagre food and wine

those families have been able to scabble together

people gather

women out the back

the ringa wera ensuring food is ready

wine is available

overseen by kuia

whanau from there or near

joining in

overseeing

enjoying the party in their way.

And so it was

in this poor village

they gathered

people

food

wine

and celebrated as well as they could

and then

after some time

the wine begins to run out

it was never great wine

these are poor people

but now the dark shadow of life

defined by soul sapping poverty

beacons

so one of the respected kuia

speaks quietly to her son

“They have no wine."

And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come."

she turns to the those serving and says, "Do whatever he tells you."

sighing

He looks around

and see 6 stone jars

massive stone jars

used for ritual washing

washing away the dirt and grime

standing empty

who has that much water?

“Fill them”

they do

some time later they come to him

the party is starting to wind down

that sad feeling when partying ends

and life resumes

fills the space

“draw some and take to the head of the party”

they do

his eyes open so wide

so wide

his mouth gapes

so wide

“what is this”? he asks

“where has this come from?”

why is this being brought out now?”

He does not know any answers

but they do

this strange secret

and they know

how much there is

an abundance

overflowing abundance

of magnificently beautiful wine

wine like they will never drink again

some will cry with the beauty of this wine

provided is such an abundance

an overflowing abundance

500 litres of sweet wine

that nose

drawing you in

sumptuously wrapping the tongue

with luscious flavours

that hint of far off places

with such fine afternotes

And so it begins

with this abundance

huh!