K Karpen: "The Opposite of Love" (Sermon for January 19, 2025)

"Jesus replied to his mother, 'Woman, what concern is that to you and to me?'" John 2:4 I don't know about you, but some days lately, I feel pretty drained. It's hard to deal with one more piece of news. It's a challenge to summon the energy to respond to one more problem or situation. At the wedding Jesus attends in the village of Cana, the wine runs out. I can relate. There are days when, whatever resource is needed -- whether time, or money, or information, or access to help, or even just compassion -- it feels like there's just not enough. And I can relate to Jesus' response to his mom, as well: "That may well be a problem, but it's not my problem."The truth is, in the weeks ahead, we are going to have to turn to each other for the support we need. The good news is that we can do together what seems overwhelming to each of us alone. The better news is that God will be with us every second of every day. K