The Stone Rejected

 He began to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, “This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.” So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’ When they heard this, they said, ‘Heaven forbid!’ But he looked at them and said, ‘What then does this text mean:
“The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the cornerstone”?
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’ Luke 20:9-18

Dear Aunt Elizabeth,

I wrote this last night as I was agonizing over what will become of me -

The Stone Rejected

I am a frail vessel and fragile

the world wants to crush me

my family doesn't understand me

I feel alone and afraid.

In the deep darkness of night

I cry to the Lord on my bed

aching from the unknowing

not knowing how I will survive.

I sing the psalms in the daylight

invoking hope in the midst of it

I sing the psalms in the nighttime

to ward of the encroaching fears.

I will trust my God in all moments

despite the looming darkness

even though the clouds gather

I will live beyond this uncertainty.

Auntie, I hope you will pray for me since I am fearing the worst from Joseph when he returns.

love always,

Mary