The story of Jesus manifesting his divinity at the wedding in Cana is paired with nontraditional readings this week. They are a celebration of love and marriage and by inference, a celebration of human sexuality. These readings begin with the lusciousness of the Song of Songs. The psalm is a royal wedding psalm for a bride who will be remembered very differently, but in these verses she is resplendent. The apostle critiques those who would use the call to ministry to deny those who minister the fundamental right to love and partnership, expressed in the cultural idiom of the world of the text as marriage. Jesus and his mother are having a delightful time at a wedding. When the wine runs out they have a playful conversation. Ultimately, it is Mary the Mother of God who calls Jesus to reveal himself and gives the best discipling teaching in the canon, “Do whatever he tells you to do.”
Epiphany 5
- by Wil
- February 5, 2022
- Liturgy, Preaching, Womens Lectionary
- 5
Wil
Biblical scholar in Hebrew and Hebrew Bible: special interest in translation textual plurality, (Septuagint, Dead Seas Scrolls, Samaritan Pentateuch, Aleppo Codex, Leningrad Codex); feminist, womanist and post-colonial biblical interpretation; prophets and prophecy in the Ancient Near East and ancient Israel Episcopal priest, product of the Black Church, author, blogger, preacher, teacher, lecturer, public speakerRelated Posts
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nick utphall
February 1, 2023 11:05 amI’m interested that the Song of Songs passage comes up again next month during Lent, and also notice that the translation is done differently in places. I’m also interested that the Cana wedding reappears in November. It has me wondering about the reasoning.
Wil
February 1, 2023 12:28 pmThe primary reason for repeating a text is that it fits and fits well. Passages recur in all lectionaries at varying intervals. Translations change across time because it is art and science and does not guarantee a a fixed outcome.
nick utphall
February 1, 2023 3:34 pmThanks!
Megan Smith
February 2, 2023 1:40 pmThank you for this lectionary. Where may I find the scriptures from Year W online?
Wil
February 2, 2023 2:19 pmWe are not putting the scripture passages online. The schedule of this project. Year W is for sale through Church Publishing, the Episcopal publishing house, Amazon, and many other religious and community bookstores.