The Vine and the Branches

Today's Reflections

The Vine and the Branches

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Jn 15:1-8

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. ²He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. ³You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. ⁴Remain 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. ⁵I 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. ⁶Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Reflection:
 

Remain in me, as I remain in you. Jesus vividly describes our relationship with God through the imagery of the vine and branches. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. He is the foundation, source, and center of our life. Cutting ourselves from him will cause our death; we will not bear fruit.

We are called to remain in Jesus, to be in communion with him. We are also to be pruned: what is useless and unnecessary in our life is to be cut off. Our pruning is our self-denial and purification. We have to be open for pruning so that we can be healthy and fruitful for the Lord.

We become useless branches when we do not listen to Jesus and accept him and when we refuse to carry our cross, preferring the comforts and conveniences of life. We do not bear fruit when we listen but do not follow and obey, when we pay lip service but do not act, and when we promise but do not deliver. We cut ourselves from the vine when we do listen but, when confronted by trial and difficulty, we give up.

I can do great thingsonly if I am united with Jesus.