April 8, 2020 Wednesday of Holy Week
Mark 12:1–11
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 watchtower; 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’?”
As Holy Week progresses, the daily readings increasingly point to what’s coming. Some years we really don’t quite get that sense of out-on-the-horizon horror, but surely this year we do, because we are also living it out. Today’s reading tells us that no one wants to hear bad news, that even the best among us can be hated, rejected for telling the truth. Do you see that in your world? Are there times when you refuse to listen? Are there times when you aren’t heard? Are there times when the less important (in the long run) crowds out that which is really essential?
Actually, the last question is really apt, as we begin to get restless. I’m beginning to see articles about “re-starting things”, or “the peak is here”, and I’m afraid we’ll get antsy and want to go back to the way things were much too soon. Will our need to see one another crowd out the importance of this physical distancing? Will we think, “oh there are fewer cases, so it won’t matter if I . . .” In some ways, the coming process to re-start our world will be as difficult as the last few weeks, if only because we will want to just go for it. It runs the risk of being as if we jumped directly from the joy of Palm Sunday to the joy of Easter without paying any attention to the fear and worry of this week. We can’t take short-cuts; we have to run the entire race to get the prize.
Today’s musical offering comes to us from Bruce Hutchins, who sang in a similar a capella group while in college: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSgFbu6c-h4
Blessings, Pastor Virginia
Many thanks to those of you who have sent your pledge into the church. Our expenses continue, so we really appreciate your efforts to help us pay our bills. Checks may be mailed to the church at 5 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham MA 02571.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday 7pm Church Council, via Zoom
Thursday 2pm Memorial Service for Donald Hall, via Zoom
PRAYER LIST
Want to add a concern or joy to the list? Email me at pastorchild02914@gmail.com
Good news! Ron and Mary Westgate report that Michael Layman, who had the COVID-19 virus is now home and doing well, though still quarantined. Thanks for your prayers!
Steve Chanona’s daughter Annie, who is in Florida, has the COVID-19 virus. Keep her and Steve in your prayers.
Elaine Johnson writes: 4/5 is my oldest grandson Cameron’s 14th birthday and on April 16th, his younger brother and my youngest grandson Ryan will celebrate his 12th birthday. Though my heart is so sad that I cannot be with them as they celebrate their birthdays, I am so blessed that they and the rest of our family is healthy and safe. . . . I’m grateful for FaceTime during these difficult days we are in. At least we can see the smiling faces of our dear grandchildren. ❤️
from Lydia Sherman: Please add Carrie Andrews to the prayer list. She’s the cousin to my nephew Christopher’s wife… She currently is on life-support and is only in her 30’s.
from Nancy MacNeill, prayers for her cousin Pam Bergeron
Prayers for all who work in the medical field as they deal with this crisis.
To Believe is to Care. . . To Care is to Do 