Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near, turn around, and believe in the good news.’ (Mark 1: 14-15)
In the action adventure of Mark the first miracle is that of a man in the synagogue with an unclean spirit (Mark 1: 23). In the more philosophical gospel of John the first miracle is the making of fine wine at Cana. (John 2: 3)
Both can be read as saying we abide in God’s realm. The unclean spirits called out, “Let us alone.” Leave us detached. Allow us to be separate from God. But Jesus reaches out to the withered branch and through the vine the branch is restored to its root.
At the wedding feast a difficult and embarrassing absence of wine is transformed into an overabundance of the finest wine. In the words of Mary we are to “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5) To experience restoration and fulfillment with must attend to and abide in the vine.
If we abide in the vine we will still experience drought, disease, and death. This is the way of the vineyard. But as long as we are connected through the vine to the deep-rooted realm of God we will be sustained. We will be able to produce good fruit. Spring will return. A new season will begin.
The fruit of branch, vine, and root can take several forms: glistening table grapes, long-lasting raisins, gooey grape treacle, jam, and jelly, or juice and wine of varied kinds and quality. Each product of the vineyard has its purpose and value. Each form expresses an aspect of the realm of God.
It makes sense that at Cana the new wine was immediately recognized as being of high quality, which might mean it was well-balanced, interesting, refreshing, perhaps surprising, and just a bit mysterious. It was a complement and encouragement to joyfulness. The finest wines are characterized by a complexity that is difficult to fully explain.
The difficulty in explaining the quality of fine wine is another reason the vine parables are so effective. How can we explain the infinite? Certainly not with finite tools of language and logic. Poetry, analogy, and other art forms are often the best we can bring to the task of suggesting the nature of God and our relationship with God.
In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus I perceive a profound analogy for how I am to live and die. I am to live firmly attached to the realm of God. Today and every day I can draw sustenance from the realm of God. In doing so I will produce good fruit.
The fruit is good when it can bring pleasure – even joy – to others. If this branch holds onto the vine and the vine’s root reaches deeply into the realm of God, then season after season, life after life, the fruit produced by root, vine, and branch can offer a taste of God’s intention. How others use this fruit is not for me to decide.
Together with the fruit of other branches I can contribute to a perpetual banquet of God’s bounty. It is an ongoing harvest feast. The banquet is available today and everyday - even in the midst of storm, pestilence, and drought – for all those gathered in the vineyard.
In the action adventure of Mark the first miracle is that of a man in the synagogue with an unclean spirit (Mark 1: 23). In the more philosophical gospel of John the first miracle is the making of fine wine at Cana. (John 2: 3)
Both can be read as saying we abide in God’s realm. The unclean spirits called out, “Let us alone.” Leave us detached. Allow us to be separate from God. But Jesus reaches out to the withered branch and through the vine the branch is restored to its root.
At the wedding feast a difficult and embarrassing absence of wine is transformed into an overabundance of the finest wine. In the words of Mary we are to “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5) To experience restoration and fulfillment with must attend to and abide in the vine.
If we abide in the vine we will still experience drought, disease, and death. This is the way of the vineyard. But as long as we are connected through the vine to the deep-rooted realm of God we will be sustained. We will be able to produce good fruit. Spring will return. A new season will begin.
The fruit of branch, vine, and root can take several forms: glistening table grapes, long-lasting raisins, gooey grape treacle, jam, and jelly, or juice and wine of varied kinds and quality. Each product of the vineyard has its purpose and value. Each form expresses an aspect of the realm of God.
It makes sense that at Cana the new wine was immediately recognized as being of high quality, which might mean it was well-balanced, interesting, refreshing, perhaps surprising, and just a bit mysterious. It was a complement and encouragement to joyfulness. The finest wines are characterized by a complexity that is difficult to fully explain.
The difficulty in explaining the quality of fine wine is another reason the vine parables are so effective. How can we explain the infinite? Certainly not with finite tools of language and logic. Poetry, analogy, and other art forms are often the best we can bring to the task of suggesting the nature of God and our relationship with God.
In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus I perceive a profound analogy for how I am to live and die. I am to live firmly attached to the realm of God. Today and every day I can draw sustenance from the realm of God. In doing so I will produce good fruit.
The fruit is good when it can bring pleasure – even joy – to others. If this branch holds onto the vine and the vine’s root reaches deeply into the realm of God, then season after season, life after life, the fruit produced by root, vine, and branch can offer a taste of God’s intention. How others use this fruit is not for me to decide.
Together with the fruit of other branches I can contribute to a perpetual banquet of God’s bounty. It is an ongoing harvest feast. The banquet is available today and everyday - even in the midst of storm, pestilence, and drought – for all those gathered in the vineyard.
posted by Didymus | 4:24 AM
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