The True Vine

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

We think ourselves to be independent agents with control over every aspect of our lives. We Americans are particularly taken with this understanding of agency. We often disregard the people we come from, the wealth we might have been blessed with, and the communities of support we benefited from. We think ourselves self-made and directed by our unique passions and skill. We are reminded today that the strength we have, the faith we have, the love we know is rooted in Christ, the source. We are not independent agents but rather fruit and branches. We are interdependent. What a blessing it is to be connected, bound and flourishing in the midst of a larger, ancient community and family. When I am at my weakest, I find strength in knowing I am not alone but completely connected.

O Creator God, source of love

you bind us to yourself daily

we might tug away and run

yet we cannot thrive without you.

O Christ, who suffered for us all

you are our strength in our weakness

our hope in our deep darkness

and our connection when we are lost.

Help us today to rejoice in the vine

help us to see the branches growing

love sprouting where we do not expect

and to give thanks for being part of the whole. Amen.