Wednesday in Holy Week

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

The parable about the vineyard owner and his workers is often cited for the real story of Jesus' impending death. He is the respected son killed by the greedy workers. We can think it was a parable for his time and not ours. But we have seen, over and over again, folks running governments and churches who think themselves free from consequences. We think we can take what is not ours and run it better, keeping the profits. The gift of the parables is that they remain current. We are not an agrarian society but the images are helpful for us still. As we prepare for the great drama of the passion this week, may we remember the stories and parables we have been told, living lives of honor and justice.

Gracious Creator, you made us in your image

you gave us free will and creative intellect

and stories to teach us how we should live.

 Yet sometimes we think we are the Creator

forgetting your generosity and your love for us

we take what is not ours and claim it for ourselves.

Lord Jesus, help us prepare our hearts today

make us humble and able to listen and see

you incredible sacrifice for the whole world. Amen.