In today’s Gospel, the miraculous transformation of water into wine is certainly an important part of the story. But there is more. We should not overlook the fact that there would have been no wine, if Mary, the mother of Jesus, had not acted. Mary saw the problem, recognized the gift that Jesus had, and said, “Do whatever he tells you.” By converting the water into wine, Jesus “revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.” The revealing of Christ’s glory would not have happened without human involvement. This marvelous sign of Christ’s glory did not take place in a vacuum. It was precipitated by human action. It required Mary, of course. But, the servers also needed to follow Jesus’ direction by filling the water jars and taking some to the head waiter. I imagine that they felt foolish when they drew from these jars, which they had just filled with water, to give to the headwaiter to taste. And yet they did it and the glory of Christ was revealed in the excellent wine. In our lives, our families, our parish, and our community the glory of Christ remains hidden, dormant, unrevealed, unless we become involved. Grapes would not become wine and wine would not become the blood of Christ without human action. The glory of Christ revealed in our world today depends upon our actions. Today we see a visible expression of the glory of Christ being revealed in our beautiful new church. We have waited a long time for this church. And, certainly, it was worth the wait. As many of you know, there have been several false starts over the past fifteen years. On several occasions, we started the process of building a new church, only to discover that the time was not right for it. I was on the steering committee in 1998 through 2001 when we made the first attempt. At that time, our pastor received many of these stained glass windows from Archbishop Pilarczyk. We proceeded to conduct a survey, hire an architect and develop plans for a church. But, Father Hohlmayer had to retire due to poor health and the project was shelved. A few years’ later, a building committee was formed and an architect was hired under the direction of our pastor, Father Schmitz. But, once again, the timing wasn’t right for building a church or any other structure here. Father Bernie started the process again a few years’ ago and proceeded through fundraising, hiring an architect and developing plans for the church. But, when these plans were sent out for bids, all of the bids were much higher than the funds available. Father Bernie with the assistance of Mike Perkins and Don Hinkle, was able to revise the plans to fit within our budget so our church could finally be built. There are several key lessons to be learned from this effort. First, it teaches us the importance of perseverance. Although we were disappointed by the first two efforts, our parishioners didn’t give up on the goal to build a new church. Secondly, it shows us that God is always in charge and that what he wants for us is better than we can imagine. We could not have built a traditional church like this in either 2000 or 2003. At that time, all churches were being built in the round and often the tabernacle was located outside of the worship space. By waiting several years, we were able to build a church which is more traditional with this beautiful tabernacle at its center for all to see. Finally, we see the importance of our efforts, working together in revealing the glory of God. We have been blessed with a pastor, several advisors, and a builder who worked together extremely well to build an attractive, yet economical church. Also, as a congregation, we responded to the fundraising efforts and pledged the funds necessary to build this church. And then, when additional funds were needed for the interior furnishings, we again responded generously so that these beautiful statues, stations, organ, piano, and stained glass windows could be purchased or restored. It has truly been a community effort and we have every reason to be proud. So, now and for many years to come, God’s glory will be revealed in this beautiful church. We will look at the tabernacle and meditate upon the glory of God and the gift of the Eucharist. We will look at the stained glass windows and reflect upon the glory of God in those events which they represent. And we will listen to this beautiful organ as it lifts us up in song to experience just a glimpse of the glory of God. So, we give thanks for all who played a role in making this beautiful church a reality and for their patience, perseverance, faith, and inspiration in making this possible. And now it is time to use this church as it is intended to be used – for the glory of God. It is time to celebrate one of the first of many, many liturgies in this holy place. We can all look forward to celebrations of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and of course, Eucharist for many years here. Lord, bless us in this beautiful church. Grant that we may persevere in the teaching of the apostles, in the breaking of the bread, and in unceasing prayer, and so be built into the heavenly Jerusalem.

Today’s Gospel ought to make us a bit uncomfortable. It tells us the shocking truth that Jesus came to die for all of us. That’s how much he loves us. But, it also tells us that he expects us to willingly take up our cross and follow him. Several years ago, the Red Cross in a small Oklahoma town posted signs all over town containing these words: I gave my blood--Christ gave his. I gave a pint--He gave all. The needle is small and sharp--The nails were large and dull. The table is soft and restful--The cross was rough and painful. The nurses are kind and gentle--The soldiers were cruel and mean. The crowd applauds my sacrifice. The crowd reviled him. Mine, at best, will prolong a life for a while. His can save all forever. Jesus died for us. What do we do in response to His love? Peter rebuked Jesus after Jesus told him that he would suffer greatly, be rejected, and be killed. Peter didn’t understand why Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, must suffer in this way. He couldn’t see the significance of the cross to our savior. Jesus response to Peter was short and swift when he said: “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” We can all relate to Peter in his reaction to suffering. We want to minimize or eliminate the suffering of those we love. We certainly don’t want to cause suffering by any of our decisions. And we struggle to understand the role that suffering plays in our own redemption. Often, parents experience difficulties, sacrifices, and suffering in raising their children. Now, some people would say that avoiding these difficulties is why they have few or no children. They give a lot of reasons why they are nervous about the prospect of raising children. Some worry about being able to pay for college or even groceries. Yet others wonder how they could possibly have enough time for the children in their busy lifestyle. But by far the most common source of concern about having children that I have noticed comes down to one thing: A fear of sacrifice and suffering. Of course, more life means more suffering; less life means less suffering. Any time we open our lives to new human beings, whether it's through pregnancy or adoption or missionary work or any other kind of intimate service, we're opening ourselves to the possibility of experiencing suffering -- not just our own, but the heartbreak of seeing a loved-one in pain, which is its own kind of torture. But, suffering plays an important role in our earthly journey. Because of suffering, our love isn’t just words, its deeds; it’s not just what we say, it’s how we live; no pain, no gain; no cross, no crown. And through the Eucharist, the sacrament of love, we can transcend our suffering and unite it with the suffering of Christ. Suffering without love is unendurable, it causes despair. Love without suffering is just words, a warm-fuzzy feeling. Love becomes authentic through suffering. Love purifies and perfects suffering. Love transforms suffering into sacrifice. And the Eucharist transforms Jesus’ suffering on the cross into the supreme sacrifice. The Eucharist gives us the capacity to love. It enables us to accept our crosses, to endure them, and even to find joy in them. Many beautiful stories came out of the tragedy of the fall of the twin towers of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001--stories of sacrifice and heroism. None is more impressive than the story of Ron Fazio of Closter, New Jersey. Fazio was Vice President of a company with offices on the 99th floor of Tower Two. When the plane slammed into Tower One, Ron Fazio made one of the best decisions of his life. He ordered his employees to evacuate the building. Even though their building had not yet been hit by the second plane, he insisted that employees get away from the windows, leave their desks and get out of the building. He stood there and held the door, yelling for everyone to hurry, and held the door open until everyone from his company had started down the stairs. They all made it down. So did he. But he remained outside Tower Two, helping others out of the building. The last anyone saw of him, he was giving his cell phone to someone else, after which the tower collapsed and no one ever heard from Ron Fazio again. That’s the difference between wearing a cross and bearing a cross--the willingness to give our life for others. Now, wearing a cross is fine if we have thought through the sacrifice represented by that cross. That cross we’re wearing represents Jesus holding the door open so that we can walk through to eternal life. Jesus tells us: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Are we opening doors for others? Are we afraid of life because of the suffering which is involved? Do we turn to the Eucharist to help us endure and transform our suffering?