RBWords

     The scripture lectionary runs on many different "tracks."  There is the Proper of the Seasons, the Proper of the Saints, and Ordinary Time.  ["Proper" is liturgical language for "special to the time."]  Within those seasons the scriptures are divided up into segments.  The Sunday segments run on three tracks of their own: A. B. and C, and in Ordinary Time, the daily scriptures run on two tracks, Year I and Year II.  The Proper of the Saints is often a mix-and-match selection aiming at the individual saint or at the category of person represented.  And, yes, this is why the lectionary can be a bit bewildering at times even to us ordained types.  Today's gospel scripture appeared this past Sunday and now it shows up during the week.  I guess this will give you a chance to compare!

     The image of the Vine and the Branches deals with the relationship between Jesus and the individual disciple.  Only the vine and branches and fruit are mentioned and not the wine that will come later, but one can't help but think of the sign at Cana in Chapter 2..  Jesus' words about "remaining" in him as a branch of the vine can remind us of his words earlier in chapter 8, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  That line itself can send us to the dialog between Jesus and Pilate: For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth."