Vine and Branches

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 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 word 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. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:1-11

Vine and Branches

Dear Creator of our living world
today we feel like pruned branches
cut off and stacked for the fire
lost in this plagued world by ourselves.

We ache to be reattached and rooted
comingled with other branches
reaching and growing in the light
bearing fruit in the fullness of season.

Yet we know right now we are dormant
lying low for the sake of the world
you have taught us by your example
that even this grave time is not the end.

Help us to flourish and to abide in you
even as we feel so cut off and alone
let us not whither but thrive now
so that we might bear the fruits of love. Amen.