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     The "Farewell Discourse" of Jesus at the Last Supper in the Gospel of John defies efforts to determine a particular organization or scheme, but it does contain some of the same "dramatic" devices that the rest of the gospel displays.  We know from earlier reflection that when Jesus says, "Amen, amen, I say to you...." or "I am..." that something important is going to be revealed about him.  Today's gospel passage begins a new "chapter" (remember that "chapters" and "verses" are not part of the original composition) in the Farewell Discourse.  It starts with "I am the true vine..."   This first use of the image speaks to Jesus' relationship to his Father and his Father's relationship to believers (pruning!).  Then Jesus repeats the image and this time the emphasis is on the relationship of the branches to the vine, or of individual believers to Jesus.

     There is intimacy in this image and there is also asceticism.  Any of us who have seen vineyards at various points in the year know that pruning is a vital part of maintaining a good crop of grapes!  Branches that show no sign of fruit will be pruned and thrown away so that they do not take energy from the plant that should go toward the fruit.  But those branches that do bear fruit, do so because they are connected to the vine itself.  I had the opportunity some years ago during a visit to a winery, to walk over and examine a grapevine.  I was immediately reminded of this passage from the Gospel of John.  Jesus is speaking to the disciples here and reminding them how important it is to be firmly attached to him in faith.  "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."  There is a considerable challenge to our reflection here.  How much of our life is truly based on a personal relationship to Christ?  For, he also warns us, "without me you can do nothing."  AMEN