It’s almost as if you get a sense of whiplash, the focus is shifting so quickly. But in a way the speed at which events change mirrors that final week of Jesus’s life.For three years, Jesus’ ministry proceeded, with its ups and its downs, some highlights, some conflicts, but overall relatively peaceful and without major incident.

But suddenly, in Jesus’ last week, his 150th week of his divine ministry, every day is a major event, as the showdown in Jerusalem at the Great Feast of the Passover comes to a head.

Anything no matter how good, can be a replacement for God if it’s what we trust or rely on most. 

A god can be something that we’re proud of.

Who is your god, is it your net worth, your spouse, 

your kids, cottage or job?

Paul is alerting us to a paradigm shift, 

a complete change in worldview that occurs in Christians.

What’s old is now new,

It’s like the old model is exchanged for the new model.

It’s a miracle really.

The Christian life is like starting over, turning over a new leaf,

A bright new morning, fresh with new possibilities.

So what is this divine water that God promises?

What is this offer from Jesus, the ever-flowing fountain?

God promises divine compassion,

A gift of love and life.

God promises to refresh us, to provide an Oasis, a Sanctuary for our souls.

God pledges us rest and he will remove our burdens.

We can let it go, release our load into the tender, merciful arms of our God.

God calls us by our name, and calls us God’s child.

We are granted a glimpse of hope,

Of Everlasting life, an assurance that death is not the end,

That trauma is not the end, 

that exhaustion is not the end.

I challenge you:

This month: watch a film made by a Black director 

or with a predominantly black cast,

Or

Read a book by a Black author

Or

Read about one aspect of Black culture or history.

Join me in donating to a local Black community organization, such as the Canadian Caribbean Association of Waterloo Region, 

The African Community Wellness Initiative 

or the Black Youth Helpline.

I’ve had it. This is not sustainable. We’ve put in our 10 000 hours to make us quote unquote experts, but we have nothing to show for it. How are we suppose to live if we can’t catch any fish to feed our people? Only one fish, if you count that one that minnow. Look at those empty nets and we’ve been fishing all night....

How do we deal with conflict and disagreements?

How do we relate to people who annoy us?

How do we act when people disrespect us?

Best in all these situations is to let patience and kindness shine through,

Whether we are setting boundaries or trying to remove them.

And that’s hard.

When your temper is boiling it’s difficult to take ten deep breaths and say something kind and be patient 

when really you just want to tell the person off

I’d like you to take some time in prayer and ponder and pray about the following;

Where in your life are you asserting your individual freedom and rights where they are in conflict with the greater good?

Where can you reduce what you feel you need, 

To make space for the betterment of the whole?

Thank you for taking that to God in prayer this week. 

Narrative Gospels such as the Wedding at Cana invite us to enter into the story with the life giving currents of abundance and hospitality. What causes you to engage in dialogue with the text? What is meaningful and enters you into Gospel living? What do you push back against.  

The wedding at Cana is the place where Jesus begins his public...

Yet despite everything,

No matter what, 

no matter that the earthly things 

we rely on in hard times disappoint us,

Still God loves us, 

and that is what really matters.