This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope and pray that you are well! Our first reading this week is Isaiah 5:1-7. It describes a man who dug and planted a vineyard, built a winepress, and surrounded it with a hedge. He planted in it beautiful grapes and gave the vineyard to tenants to care for. The vineyard failed because of neglect and "wild grapes." Basically, the people did not do a good job.

A few things about this passage interest me. First, I realized this passage is written like a poem or a song. This, of course, makes it easier to remember, memorize, and share again. Like a folk singer offering commentary on society, the poetic love song between God and his vineyard is easy to remember.

The second thing that drew me to this passage this week is the use of natural consequences. God states the punishment. In this passage, God does not smite; rather, he takes down the walls. The people who are messing it up already will trample the rest; he will take down the hedge, and the animals will devour it, which, in my reading of Scripture, is a continuation of the land already being devoured. God sees the sinfulness happening, and instead of punishing the people, he lets it play out to its natural end.

As I reflect on this, I realize that sometimes, my own punishment for my sinfulness is enough. The loss of relationship because of my own neglect, the loss of financial resources because of my own longing to keep up with the Joneses. In many ways, the punishment is self-induced. That said, the scripture begins, "Let me sing for my beloved, my love song concerning his vineyard." The story is a love song. Sure, there is deep anguish, but love is there nonetheless.

That love appears later in Isaiah, when people are invited to repent and return to the Lord. It may take work, but relationships can be restored with love; finances can be rebuilt with the right priorities in place; and forgiveness, grace, and mercy can almost always be found. It's a matter of turning to God. Jesus promises us forgiveness; it may not let us forgo the consequences of our actions, but when we turn back to God, the same Lord who raised Lazarus from the dead may be able to work a miracle in our own lives. I give thanks for this.

Peace,

Mitch