From Cana in Galilee, some planning tips

For the discerning mind, lessons abound everywhere. They may not come easy, as nothing good is picked on a platter. For every breakthrough in research, insight, contemplative learning and a change of thought-process, the senses must be alert; intuition must be carefully analysed before it is accepted as fact resulting in a change of the status quo. What can be taken up for rigorous academic work can simply be summarised by an event without a conscious effort at addressing the subject matter.
Every Christian knows the story as told by St. John in John 2:1-10. There was a wedding ceremony in Cana, in Galilee, to which our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, Mary, were invited. In the course of the ceremony, they ran out of wine. Mary drew Jesus’ attention to the situation and after an initial hesitation by Jesus, Mary simply asked the servants to do whatever He directed them to do. Jesus told them to fill the six water pots of stone containing about 20 to 30 gallons each with water. They filled them to the brim. Jesus then asked them to “draw some out now and take it to the master of the feast”. The water had become wine! I shall return with the concluding part of this remarkable miracle presently.
Expectedly, Christians always whip themselves up into a frenzy anytime this Jesus’ feat is re-told as it enriches their belief in the awesome power of our Lord. Interestingly, however, only a few people may have wondered why they ran out of wine. Was it for lack of planning or just due to some extraneous factors? Let us examine some possible reasons.
First, more people than were actually invited might have turned up. The love for free food and drinks did not start with this generation. To avoid overcrowding and the attendant shortages and tension on the part of event planners these days, six-pack men-bouncers are deployed at the entrance. Those without cards are turned back. In very strict situations, a card admits only one, even a couple cannot gain access with only one card. Who says today’s planners do not read John 2:1-10 as part of pre-event lessons? For our nation, Nigeria, it is possible that our founding fathers called a party for 30 million people. Alas, 170 million people showed up. Little wonder then that the food and drinks finished even before the conclusion of the opening prayer. Whereas a party or event owner can send uninvited guests out, Nigeria is owned by all. Our men who could have been at the gate as bouncers did not get any part of the food and drinks, and so, they are hangry and lacking in strength to do the job of bouncers. The artificial methods of population control have not gone down well with some religious teachings. What to expect then? A continuing population boom in the face of economic gloom. The verdict? We have failed our planning test as a nation.
Second, there might have been mistakes by the service boys and girls. At parties, those who know those in charge of food and drinks are served first, and given more. What is meant for 50 guests can be given to 20 “known” guests who may even take some home, while a majority of others at the party would go hungry. This is a classic example of the Nigerian situation. Our leaders who are meant to serve us now serve themselves, their godfathers, their illegitimate “principalities” and other sundry partners-in-crime. The favoured few get the oil blocks, import waivers, concessionary taxes, right-of-first-refusal in contact awards and political appointments. The sum-total is corruption. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed that 16 years was not enough to clean up the mess created by the military in its cumulative 30-year (mis)rule.
Ironically, corruption during the “corrective” PDP years grew exponentially. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is already alerting us that a period of one year is no time at all to scratch the surface in patching the mammoth plundering of the nation by the PDP. The APC generally appears to be enjoying a sumptuous meal with some hand gloves covering some dirty fingers. Can we ever have service boys and girls who will not make deliberate mistakes? The way it is going, may be not in God’s own time. Verdict? Very poor result.
Third, the event planners might have under-estimated the appetite of the guests. In a normal situation, a plate of food and a bottle of drink should suffice for a guest. But when the guest does not trust how soon after he will avail himself of the next opportunity to be feted, he will literally expand his tummy to “take care of tomorrow”.
Last, it was a divine arrangement for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to perform His first miracle. I will not delve deep into this spiritual scheme, lest the pen in my hand turn into a chewing stick.
The concluding part of the Cana history was that the miraculous wine, which was served later, tasted much better than the one first served to the guests.
What can we take away from this Cana narrative? It is imperative to note that whenever top dignitaries are invited to an event, a large crowd follows them. Many of the guests at the wedding must have gone there to share in the company of Jesus and Mary. Next is that whoever gives never lacks. Jesus came to the rescue of the bridegroom because He knew that the bridegroom genuinely wanted people to share in his joy. Again, with hard work, focus, determination and open hands, your best is still to come. The latter wine proved to be the crowning glory of the day and confirms that it is really not over until you quit. Our leaders should take a cue from Jesus, who solved a problem when it cropped up, and never took the microphone to advertise Himself after performing the miracle as our politicians are wont to do for even no work done.
So, as you plan your next celebration, may only the required number you have adequately planned for show up; may the service boys and girls divorce themselves of nepotism; may your guests realise that they eat to live and not live to eat, and at the end, may you have a special guest who will cover your shame and embarrassment if your plans fail you. Amen.