Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 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. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are theb ranches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit because without me you can do nothing." [John]
One of the striking features of the Gospel According to John is the absence of parables that are so much a part of Jesus' teachings in the other three gospels. The nearest thing to parables in John are the images of the shepherd/sheep and the vine/branches. But these two images make the same point about the intimate relationship that faith in Jesus can create - a relationship that, in the case of the vine and branches, must bear fruit.
The "pruning" might catch our attention. Viticulture requires strong pruning after harvest if the next year's crop is to form properly and abundantly. A visit to a vineyard after this process will show barren vines with stubby branches! This may help us to understand the challenges of faith and find help in understanding how our "down" times can be as productive as our "upbeat" times.
One other thing that can capture our attention is the use, throughout this gospel of the word "remain" to describe the relationship of faith. We can, from our own experience, be aware of the presence of close friends in our lives even when they are physically distant. Faith in Jesus is like that and it requires effort to sustain. It is the relationship that should make it possible to "bear fruit" and witness to the power of faith. I know how the love of friends gives me life and makes my ministry possible. Jesus makes it clear when he says, "Without me you can do nothing." AMEN