From the darkest days of World War II and for 70 years thereafter, until two weeks ago, a thirsty out-oftown customer wandering up and down the aisles of any Benton County retail grocer might have echoed the words of the mother of Jesus at the wedding at Cana of Galilee, “They have no wine.” Well, that has changed and the proprietors of 50 or so E-Z Marts, Kum & Gos, and Walmarts are rejoicing.

And the county’s teetotalers are, rather quietly I’ve noticed, gnashing their teeth.

Only a few years ago the legal sale of beer and wine in Benton County would have required a turn of events no less miraculous than Jesus’ conversion of plain water to fine wine.

Of course all of us know for some time it has already been remarkably easy to get a cold Bud or a sparkling chardonnay at dozens of restaurants in our county.

Membership in these “private clubs” may require you add your name to a list, or perhaps only walk through the front door. It’s about as easy as joining our church.

Have you thought about why this change in attitude toward alcohol sales has come about so quickly?

Certainly, the change in laws would not have happened without the support of those with the wherewithal to promote and implement the change. But at its heart, I think a sea change of this sort is a reflection of the atmosphere of abundance that surrounds us.

Were it not for the wealth, and the opportunity for the creation of wealth in our community, people from all corners of the globe would have not been drawn here.

A life of abundance, as evidenced by the presence of fine restaurants, a vibrant downtown, bike trails, dog parks, a world-class museum and multiple employment opportunities have brought all kinds of people here.

Many are people like you and me, who think it’s rather nice to have a glass of wine with dinner and are willing to sign a petition to help make that possible. We couldn’t so conveniently enjoy a glass of cabernet now were it not for the abundance in our community.

Yet, you don’t have to look far to see the life abundant isn’t evenly distributed.

Show up at All Saint’s on a Wednesday afternoon, or at St. Andrew’s on Tuesday morning, or any other food pantry and you will find people who are hungry, people experiencing hunger in the midst of plenty.

Enormous disparity in wealth, the growing gap between the rich and the poor, isn’t something we imagine taking place in lands far away. It is right here where we live.

The abundant life God wants for all people, a life symbolized by a wedding banquet with stone jars filled to the brim with good wine, is not known by these families. The sparseness of their existence compels me, like the mother of Jesus, to tap on Jesus’ shoulder, point to those without food, shelter, health care and say, “Jesus, they have no wine.”

It’s not that God doesn’t want us to enjoy the fine wine. Apparently Jesus, along with his disciples, was ready for a party. And judging from the quantity of fine wine that arrived at the wedding at Cana, six stone jars holding 20 gallons or 30 gallons each, they were in for quite a party.

I think we are meant to enjoy the good life.

But we forget Jesus’ invitation was for everyone to join the party. The good wine is for everyone, not just a few.

After alerting Jesus to the absence of wine, his mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” In John this miracle at the wedding of Cana marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. In Luke, Jesus begins his teaching ministry by readingfrom the scroll of Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord …

has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free …”

All are invited to the party.

And it is in the process of inviting everyone to the party, that we also invite the prospect for personal transformation. Jesus’ miracle of turning the water into wine is emblematic of the miracle that can take place in our lives as well. A watery, self-interested kind of existence can be transformed into something resembling a rich, full-bodied, cabernet.

•••

THE REV. ROGER JOSLIN IS THE VICAR AT ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN BENTONVILLE.

Religion, Pages 6 on 02/02/2013