Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 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.....
At an exhibit of paintings or quilts by a particular artist we may come upon one piece that seems to stand out from the rest of the exhibit as if it attempts to explain much of its companion pieces. Chapter 15 introduces us to the beautiful image of the vine and branches and fruit and vine grower. Again, I urge my Beloved Congregation to read the entirety of Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John first so that the next several days of gospel passages can be related together!
To those accustomed to associating viticulture with the West Coast, I must call attention to the fact that Texas, the state in which I live, has a large wine industry. There is a kind of "wine country" between Austin and San Angelo that features numerous growers and wines. Depending on the time of year one drives through, the vines have a different appearance. Just before harvest, they will appear very lush and heavy with fruit. After harvest and pruning, they may appear to be embarrassingly naked! Both phases are important to the vine grower! Jesus' audience would have been familiar with the process, just as they would have been familiar with the shepherding process in chapter six.
The focus in this image is on the relationship between the believer and Jesus. A key word to note is "remain." Jesus asks the disciples to "remain in me, as I remain in you." Often in our use of the word, this has the element of "staying on after something...", but in John it has more the meaning of "abiding." Yes, Jesus will "remain" in the disciples after he has died and risen, but they are also "remaining" in him while he is still with them. This "remaining" is compared to the relationship between a vine and branches. This is faith. The faith will be tested by "pruning" to make it more fruitful. Given the difficulties faced by the Johannine community at the time of the writing of the gospel, these are not just picturesque pious words! Perhaps we can find a similar example in the impact of Pope Francis on our church at the present time! A good glass of wine might offer us a moment to think about this image as we continue through the exhibition! AMEN