Members of our son Isaac's congregation are dairy farmers but three years ago they decided to take a risk on a totally new form of agriculture for them. They planted eight acres of grape vines with the goal of establishing an organic winery. Neither has a background in viticulture and they "upped the ante" by chosing organic because they can't use any chemical stimulants or protection for their fragile crop. They are so new at this venture that they haven't yet received their organic certification. They have a vintage, but they aren't able to sell their product for another season. We were the pleased recipients of the gift of a couple of bottles of Pigeon Hill as a result.
Wine always strikes me as a little miracle because beyond the harvesting of a crop there is that mysterious process of fermentation and the way "wine gladdens the heart" as the psalmist promises. How appropriate that Jesus described himself as the True Vine. His first miracle was turning water into wine and his last meal included wine. Even the vinegar offered to him on the cross was spoiled wine.
Jesus also said that you can't put new wine into old wineskins because they will split and the wine wll be lost. I wonder some times about why we spend so much time sticking with watery Churchianity grape juice, trying to figure out how to keep things the same rather than asking how Christ is creating the miracle of new wine in our midst.
The couple in Ike's congregation are going "out on a vine" to do something very different knowing that it could fail. I wish that we had that spirit or Spirit (spirits?) ourselves. I congratulated them on their courage.
What do you think? Are we willing to think "outside the jug" or are we risk-averse?Will old wineskins be our downfall?
I think some people just have that spirit in them to be risk takers. I really admire them for a part of me is jealous that I don't take that step.
ReplyDeleteI would be game for wine at communion, rather than grape juice, however I do know of several alcoholics in the Catholic church who do not take communion for fear of falling off the rails again. They do not feel included. Hmmm an argument for not thinking "outside the jug"?