This is a great time of year. I’m not referring to the cold but to the Youth Fair. A lot of Good Shepherd kids compete in various ways. A couple of weeks ago Natalie and Corbin Merson shared with me all about the pigs they were raising. As most of you probably know, this includes all that they spent to acquire care for the pigs, including feed, medication and all they had done in terms of feeding and training them. It’s all very impressive and teaches great life lessons.

One of those lessons is that no matter what they have to take care of the pig. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, or if it’s cold, or if the kids don’t feel well, or if they were invited to a birthday party or whatever is happening, they have to take care of the pig. Sometimes they could switch off or cover each other, but even then they are making sure the job gets done.

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We join Jesus this morning at the very outset of his ministry, after temptation in the wilderness. He has begun teaching in his home region of Galilee, and is gathering some early interest. He eventually returns to his hometown of Nazareth, to the synagogue, which literally means “bring together.” The people would come together much as we have this morning. The first half of our service, the liturgy of The Word of God (BCP p. 323 and p. 355), including everything up through exchanging the Peace, is modeled on synagogue worship, which includes prayers, a creed, perhaps sing a Psalm. Someone would read scripture and sermon.

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As we come into this scene of the wedding at Cana, we try to envision it. It’s first century Palestine, so everyone is in robes, tunics and sandals. Suddenly the scene shifts. I can’t help seeing the groom and his groomsmen in patent leather shoes, bright, shiny, patent leather shoes.

Why do people often wear patent leather shoes to a wedding? And how are they called leather? They are plastic. Why the special dresses, the flowers, the centerpieces at the reception, the band or DJ? Clearly a wedding is a big, big deal, whether people have rented tuxedos and patent leather shoes or no one has rented a tux because they own them or because they preferred jeans. Their new life together calls for a party; there is lots to celebrate with family and friends.

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