Vines & Vineyards
image taken in Potter Valley
by m r n
The beauty of vines and vineyards…
With “in” a poem
“The new is lost when I try to preserve
the old. Some things just need to
be let go. What is coming needs room
to happen. To have an organic reaction. The new doesn’t
need me to do its thing. It just needs space to breathe.”
—stanza from the poetry book God Speaks Through Wombs by Drew Jackson, Wineskins (p 94)
In Wineskins there is a bold offering to pay attention to the new and the old.
Each of the phrases of this poem declares something is happening.
There is loss and letting go.
Yet what is invited is spacious—the making of more room for breathing, for something new to taste, see, hope for, smell, discover and enjoy.
The invitation is “organic reaction.”
When looking at the parable this poem is derived from Parable of the Wineskin, we see Jesus begins by giving us a hint at wine-making. He talks about wine making to engage his listeners in wonder and understanding of something deeper.
Let’s listen in to some of the wine making process many of his listeners would have known but for most of us we might miss. So here’s some helpful information for us to fill-in any gaps:
Wine making comes out of an organic reaction. Taking grapes from the vine and making something new.
Where does organic reaction come in?
The wine-making comes in with Fermentation which “drives complex chemical reactions that affect the flavor, aroma, and even color of the finished wine.” Organic+reaction=wine, “the grape makes the wine” “grapes are the raw material that goes into wine” “it is a natural process and human intervention is only necessary to increase clarity and consistency. The key element in the fermentation process is yeast: a microscopic, single-celled fungus. When yeast comes into contact with the grape juice, a chemical reaction converts the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide” [www.illumin.usc.edu]
And there is wine!
With “in” an image
Continuing with the parable.
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins;
otherwise the new [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins
and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.
But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” [Luke 5:37-38]
Once the wine was fermented it would be stored in ancient times in clay pots buried in the ground, and other kinds of pottery vessels, and when taken from the vessels it was poured into a wineskin.
“A wineskin is an ancient type of bottle
made of leathered animal skin,
used to store or transport wine.”
The new wine needs space to breathe within the new wineskins.
When change happens aka organic reaction it is a new breath, in and out, moving “change” along, where eventually the grapes become wine ready to be enjoyed.
It is within this poem and parable from the New Testament, Jesus has come and invited us into a new way of being. In relationship with him, we are made into new wine. Our old ways no longer fit into our new skin. Our new Jesus skin which begins to ferment and transform us into new ways of being in relationship with God and others—with Jesus, we are becoming new and formed into His likeness, character, and ways of living. An aroma and taste of change begins.
Feel free to pause and sit with the parable, poem and/or image and see what God might be speaking to you about your relationship with what is new, new wineskin, and/or with Jesus.
With “in” a story
“Fresh Grapes on Wounded Wood” taken by m r n
In late summer, I found myself in California amongst my family roots (parents and siblings) and long time friends. While there, my youngest brother Josh asked if I would like to take a weekend getaway with him up to visit some of our wine-making family. This was something he and I have never been able to do before since our teen years.
Delighted and without hesitation I said “Yes!” “This is where and what my mind, body, and soul are craving”—it is a place of simple familial life and where the creatively complex are intertwined through wine-making, earthy living, and artistic inspirations are abundant.
We left the Central Valley, drove through the outskirts of San Francisco Bay area, and on up to the Redwood Valley of Ukiah, California. This time of year the hues of these areas are dry wheat and speckled with various trees and brush greens. Warm temperatures fill the day’s air and cooler evening’s slowly transpire as the sun sets. A perfect time of year for a getaway mid September.
The unexpected surprises within this two day adventure were pausing to stop along the roadside and be amazed by a large herd of Elk, followed by spending hours of sweet conversation with Boek cousins, working with our hands to help with family chores, closing the day with a beautiful evening of pond swimming, food and wine, joyful conversation, and ending our time with a delightful visit to a cousin’s home for lunch. All of this —was healing, inspiring, and invigorating for a soul that was tired and longing for such familial community.
There is something very special about 'roots’ and where new and old come together and you discover “organic reaction.” You leave “changed” with something more, abundant, and ready to share.
May be these words and images are only speaking to me, that’s okay.
My hope is if you are reading this, you will find something within these images, or a line from the poem, or a simple word of a story that you may connect with.
Vines and Vineyards have a way of giving life. These vines had just harvested their fruit (opening image above) and were heading into their next season of winter or dormancy. A time of resting for the vine and its branches.
In a time of resting we are invited to reflect on where we are and what is possible within the next season.
Give yourself permission to sit and listen for a moment. Use the portion below to engage your time if you wish.
Reflection. Pondering. Prayer.
What is new?
Is the new losing out to the old preservation?
What am I longing for in the change, or new?
What is happening within you?
What is going on around you?
What still needs to be let go?
Am I experiencing spaciousness?
Where might I need to breathe?
Am I resting like that of making new wine?
How might God be leading me in these ways?
Interested in reading more, please check out poet Drew Jackson and his beautiful imagery through words.
