‘He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.”’ Mark 12:1-2Vineyards would seem to be an especially long term expenditure of time, money and effort. In this Gospel story Jesus wants us to the see the great value the man placed on his vineyard. He was so concerned with its ultimate success that he was willing to put a fence around it, build a watchtower and wine press and lease it to tenant farmers.
Our children, or rather the children God gives us, are very much like the plants in the vineyard; we work at them a long time before realizing whether or not we're going to have a harvest. Raising a family is the closest analogy I can think of to a ‘long term expenditure of time, money and effort’.
Currently I’m just past the middle of the endeavor. My ‘vines’ are only three quarters grown. They haven’t produced any grapes yet. There’s always the possibly they never will.
Wine production is a risky business. I can certainly empathize with the man in Jesus’ parable. This parenting stuff is a lot of work and the outcome is uncertain at best. So is the fate of Our Lord’s story. We all know what happens to those sent to collect produce on this vineyard. They got beaten, treated shamefully and killed. Is any of this worth it?
Some days being a parent doesn’t seem worth it either. But it is.
This has been a rough week for me a mom. I’m dealing with a teenager in the middle of a crisis. Looking back on my own life, it’s not the worst thing that could ever happen, but it’s also far from the best.
But as I read these words which occur later on in this same selection from the Gospel of Mark, I find great comfort, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.” Mark 12:10-11
Sunshine and rain are both necessary for the healthy development of grapes. Just so, successes and trials are necessary for our children’s emotional maturity. May He grant us enough of each!
17 comments:
Remember that the vineyard is not being worked by one but by many. "This parenting stuff is a lot of hard work" and I believe we need to feel the love and support and prayers of others in the vineyard. I'm rolling up my sleeves and workin' along side ya booklady. In other words, know that you and yours are in my prayers.
Thanks so much Julie! It does help to know there are others out there working alongside -- fellow vineyard laborers.
God bless you for the prayers! I know I'd be lost without them. He is carrying me now for sure. ((hugs))
Could you do me a favor?
I am giving away 2 free signed copies of my book, A 30 Day Retreat to your readers. However, there is one stipulation. I would like them to email me at my email address bill@willliamcmills.com and tell me two things:
1. Why they want to spend 30 days with Jesus
2. How they would use their book in their life or in their parish, etc...
Could you please post that on your blog soon? You can also add my website info too www.williamcmills.com
Thanks.
I find that one way to ensure the vines grow well and perhaps bear fruit is to pray, pray and pray.
Praying with you.
God bless.
Bill,
In my next post I'll be sure to include that information about your book give away.
Victor,
Thank you for the prayers! Yes, I do believe in the power of prayer ... and especially in the power of parents praying for their children. The Gospel story of the Canaanite woman who takes all that abuse from Jesus because she will do anything to get Him to heal her daughter. That is me. I see and hear myself in that woman every time she sets herself determined to dog Jesus until He eventually agrees to help her daughter. While I might not have that kind of persistence if it was just for myself ... for my children, I would do whatever was necessary.
To the Wonderful Booklady, I am officially in the vineyard. I am sending big prayers to heaven, and asking my friends the Holy Souls to join in. Tomorrow I will pray and light a candle at the National Shrine of St. Joseph for you and your family. He is the Patron Saint of Families, and the best guy to turn to when your heart is heavy. He is also a favorite of the original Booklady, who I expect has you very close to her at this moment.
Yours in Christ, HC
I am reminded of St. Monica and her many prayers for her son Agustine. Sometimes we don't see the fruit until much later in life. But we must trust...remember the tiny mustard seed.
My prayers are with you.
God bless you my friend!
Dear Booklady, Mass requested, candle lit, prayers said. Please see my blog, there is a little post for you. And remember, there are many others who read your posts and pray without telling you.
God Bless,
HC
Happy Catholic, Daily Grace and KAM,
God bless you dear friends! I started to answer earlier in the week but then never got to finish... It's the way my life seems to be going these days. :(
As things seemed to be settling down with my daughter, then my mother-in-law took a bad fall this week. Although she was using her walking stick, she fell on her face, broke off her left front tooth, received two black eyes, fractured her eye socket, bit through her front lip, scraped and bruised both hands and bruised one knee. A CAT scan showed no concusion which is good. Would it necessarily reveal a mini stroke? She's not in a lot of pain fortunately, all things considered. The scary thing is she doesn't remember how it happened.
Not sure what God is trying to tell me by all this. But I find myself in the position of having a demanding full-time job with two generations requiring my assistance and supervision. Still, I know that He never gives us more than we can handle.
Thank you for joining me in the vineyard! We sustain one another with our prayers. I remember and give thanks for each of you by name, especially at Mass.
My good friend, KAM sent me a very nice comment which I include below and this fat fingered silly person here accidentally pressed "reject" when she she meant to press "accept" this comment. :( Sorry KAM! Please forgive me! Here is the comment:
KAM has left a new comment on your post "Day 18 - Tending the Vineyard":
Once again, you've given something to think about. k
And I do NOT reject it! It was an oopsie! It's been a long day and I made a mistake! Sorry!!!
God bless you!
Hi Bookladay -
Just wanted to let you know that God In Vegas, Part Two has been posted.
Glad to hear of the happy Parents Appreciation night and really sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. God bless her sweet heart. She must have been terrified.
HC
Just stopping by to wish you a happy Fourth!
This post is so lovely! I never would have connected the long term work in the vineyard with raising children! Teenagers ARE tough! I remember being quite a handful when I was younger and caused my parents a great amount of stress! I will pray for you and your teen who is in a crisis. You may want to check out the link on my blog to the Missionary Servants of the Holy Family. They are doing great work in praying for the sanctity of families. Just click on the picture!
God bless you and your family with all the best!
I guess I am the only insane person who loves teenagers better than any other age. I had seven at one time when my kids were growing up. Now I teach first-year confirmation (ages 15-17), and I am in heaven! To each his own, I suppose. I know that many of the parents are happy to have them with me for a little while each week and get some reprieve. I wish you well with yours. I can tell you for a fact, if it helps, that they do grow up, and when they start having kids of their own, you get a lot smarter (at least, that's how they act). I will pray for the passage of the crisis.
Those grapes, though, are to die for. They look like concord grapes which simply cannot be found out here in California. I eat them all the time when I go back to New England and when I go to Korea. I wonder why we cannot grow them here.
BTW, I want to let you and other followers know that my Blest Atheist blogspot went down. I replaced it with 100th Lamb (www.emahlou.blogspot.com). I explain why there.
Thanks so much Elizabeth! Sorry to be so long in getting around to moderating my comments. This is why I think blogging is a thing of the past for me... :(
Good to know there are those who love the teenage years! I am learning to develop an appreciation for them, if not an actual preference, does that count?
God bless you, your lovely family, and your new blog, 100th Lamb! I hope to check it out soon!
You are missed!
Thank you dear one! Keep me in prayer as I do you!
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