Tending the Vineyard

Then he began to speak to them in parables. ‘A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”?’ Mark 12:1-11

We have been spending a few days on Cape Cod, and despite the frigid weather and gale force winds, it is impossible to miss the beauty of the place. Yet the original inhabitants of this land, who were placed here by our Creator, and who honor and cherish this place, have little or no imprint here. Wealth and property ownership has overtaken everything here. It has made the cost of living impossible for most. Much of our coastal places are the same. We can all damage the gifts and places God has lent to us for our time on earth. Jesus told the parable of the wicked tenants to criticize the religious leadership of his time. Too often, in our present-day religious leaders are moved more by their own needs and control, that as stewards of wonderful and fragile vineyards. May we all care tenderly for the land and all living beings as precious and wonderfully fragile gifts from God.

Precious Savior, came to bring divine love

and in the face of selfishness and greed

you spoke directly to the broken people

promising them a home in heaven and on earth.

We fail to be good tenants and good stewards

we act as if the precious gift is ours to destroy

we make private and exclusive your gifts

and pretend as if we are faithful and kind.

Help us to repent of our greedy ways

give us your strength to share the blessings

may we be your humble servants here

so the vines may again bear the fruit of love. Amen.