Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The Vintner’s Cottage on the Moselle
The vintner asks me why I’ve come to the vineyards if it is just to pick my way fighting into their controversy. I have to wonder that myself. Was I driven here for some reason only I can fulfill? Or am I so caught up in the mission of my son that I decided to take this one on too?
I answer the vintner, “The priest near us received a visit from some vineyard owners from this region, asking about the Christianizing of Jews with baptism.”
“I wasn’t with them. Our vintners group sent them to that secular church with the question about baptism.”
“Mater Doe mentioned it to me because she knows my travels have led me into other controversies over the persecution of Jews in other times and places.”
“Well, this isn’t other times and places, this is here and now. Here it’s about vineyards and wine, not grain sacks and goats.”
“It was just that she felt the answer she gave your representatives was incomplete and she worried she misled your group about the nature of baptism and the love of God.”
He fills my cup with a bitter wine this time, and argues, “Since neither you nor I was in that conversation we have nothing to say about it.”
“Of course, so I need to find those who did speak with her, so that they’ve not been misled.”
“There is no misunderstanding. We sent them down there to find out if the king’s rule to baptize the Jews was from God or man. We know our Roman Church at Trier makes no distinction, and yet, for Christ’s sake, we needed to know.”
“Why?”
“Obviously, if we are preparing to drive out baptized Jews we need to know if that is the same as driving out Christians which might bring holy wrath down onto our own vineyards. We just needed to know if we would be in danger of God’s judgement. But if the baptism is just a church thing, and it doesn’t make them Christian in the sight of God, then our vineyards won’t be cursed. After-all, even if baptized, they aren’t really Christian.”
“That was the concern Mater Doe feared was left unspoken. She thought they were only asking about the holy ritual and not seeking to know the truth that God loves all people.”
“Of course. We could have asked our own priest if we wanted to hear that.”
(Continues Tuesday, February 20)
Lazarus Ink 