Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Easter
[Acts 15:1-6 and John 15:1-8]I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit....... I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
A couple who are dear friends of mine chose as the theme for their wedding about 25 years ago the theme, "The Vine and the Branches." They decided to write their own vows, subject to my theological/canonical inspection, of course. Separately each brought the text to me and each text was rich in love, faith and language. I had to remind them of that aspect of Jesus' image that referred to pruning and thus the lovely texts were pruned to a more prudent length and the cuttings were "grafted" into the ceremony at a later point! I had occasion recently to revisit the chapel where the ceremony took place. (Another dear friend from the same college and era is now principal of the school to which the chapel belongs.) All the memories of the image came back. Indeed one may say that a marriage is a good manifestation of Jesus' words: "Without me, you can do nothing." Anyone who gardens, as I do, knows that pruning is part of taking care of the plant. The difference between a plant and a gardener however is that the gardener is capable of intentional "self-pruning.". Whether one is married or single, the asceticism of cutting away either dead wood or overgrown wood in oneself is necessary for spiritual, physical and emotional health. Marriage and religious community life involve pruning from one's spouse or fellow community members as well! In some ways, they are God's "shears." I have visited vineyards and seen the healthy vines. The image from the Lord comes back each time. The beauty of the place is not possible without the pruning. AMEN
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