27-Apr-16

Gospel JN 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone 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.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Reflection:
"I 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."
What is this "fruit" of which Jesus speaks, and how can we "bear" it? The fruit that we bear are the people that come to know Jesus Christ as a result of how we live our lives. As Christians, we are called to attract others to Christ. I was not given the gift of faith so I could keep it to myself. Christianity is an infectious condition of the Spirit. It is not so much taught as it is caught.
If I remain connected to Christ, the vine, and if I live a Christ-like life, then as a bee is attracted to honey, I will attract others to Christ. I will bear much fruit.
"Anyone 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."
When I heard this parable as a child, it always brought to mind the ominous warning of my elders.
"If you're a good boy, you'll go to heaven. But, if you're bad, you'll burn in hell." Interestedly, Jesus says nothing of being good or bad. Instead, He tells us that if we separate ourselves from Him, we will wither. A withered branch cannot produce fruit. It is useless, drawing energy from the vine without purpose. The purpose of a vine is to produce fruit. The purpose of a Christian is to produce followers of Christ.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
The key to a life well lived is to remain close to Jesus Christ. Others will follow and Jesus and the Father will be known and glorified. And God will be well pleased.

"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." - - Matthew 25:21