Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - 5th Week of Easter - Wed
[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 everyone 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.
Jesus' "farewell discourse" at the Last Supper appears to be made up of a number of separate elements that the evangelist brought together in one place. The scripture scholars that I consult say that there really isn't one organizing element other than the broad purpose of preparing the disciples for Jesus' departure and for what comes next. However, these individual parts each have their own beauty, and the image of the vine and branches is a vivid one. It really came "alive" for me on a visit to a winery in California back in 1978, and each subsequent visit to a vineyard makes me think of it. The vines become living homilies!
If we recall the image of the shepherd and sheep, we might remember that Jesus takes an image and turns it around so that more than one "angle" is presented to us. So it is with the vine. And we might recall the importance of the "I AM" statements, as well. We begin with the relationship between the vine grower and the vine - both trunk and branches! Then we turn to the relationship between the vine and the branches! Here Jesus uses another important word to describe that relationship: "remain." "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you."
The "pruning" part might make us a little nervous! But we all know there are aspects of our lives that are obstacles to our being effective disciples. Where we feel those challenges, we must be open to God's "pruning" just as we would respond to a doctor's admonition that losing more weight or getting more exercise or eating better food will make us healthier. The Holy Spirit is the active agent in this process. A good wine is the result of a healthy vineyard, and is worth every sip, We can be part of that great challenge. AMEN