The Gospel of John 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the words that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Let Us Pray The Collect for Sunday: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In agricultural life pruning is a way to enhance growth of fruit bearing trees. Jesus uses this parable as a way to show His disciples that pruning is important. Life actually prunes us all the time. And most often, we do not like the pruning. Being pruned is typically painful and difficult. Yet, after a period of time, we may come to realize that this pruning has enabled us to bear fruit in new and different ways. We also may begin to experience the new life that has come from our pruning. We may have grown and changed for the better! The vine grower recognizes when the vines need to be pruned. And the vine grower also realizes that better fruit will grow because the vine has been pruned. Do we trust our “vine grower?” Do we trust that God only desires goodness, happiness, and abundant fruit for us? Hopefully our answer is yes! True, it does not take away the pain of being pruned. Most often “being pruned” is difficult. However, if we trust our vine grower and believe that growth and plenty will come from the pruning, we will bear abundant fruit in our lives.
Today and always may we trust our Vine grower. He only desires what is best for us. And He will prune us in a gentle and loving way as HE works to mold us and shape our lives and to give us direction to become the best we can. As we work to be the best we can be as the fruitful branches who will be the disciples who accept Jesus’ life-giving word and remain in him. We must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes, and from a Christian we look for a Christ-like behavior. We must do good; this is bearing fruit. The unfruitful are taken away. And even fruitful branches need pruning.
Now the resurrected Lord addresses us. Twice he promises “I AM the vine.” And in that promise, something happens. There is an event (pruning) in which we become something new as we are transformed by a new reality in which we are empowered and commissioned as disciples. The union we have with Christ is how we are transformed, and this comes about for the glory of God. Yet it also requires effort on our part to love and obey Christ.
Let us Pray: Your love, O God, nurtures and strengthens us to bear fruit. May we remain in your love, and so become the first fruits of a humanity made new, bearing a rich harvest of holiness and peace. We ask these and all things through your son Christ Jesus, one with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen
Reflections by Bob 