I am the Vine, you are the Branches

John's Gospel contains several proclamations in which Jesus reveals himself through various analogies.  I am the bread of life ..., I am the resurrection and the life ..., I am the good shepherd..., et al.  Sort of like the miracle stories in the synoptic Gospels, in John these statements unfold an understanding of the relationship that Jesus has with the Father in heaven, and with us.  We are as hearers given an insight into the very intimate relationship that exists in the love of the triune God, and the relationship which we are adopted into through Jesus.

Considering vines and branches, one very important aspect of this relationship is that it is sometimes difficult to determine where a branch ends and a vine begins.  The vine-grower has to be very careful therefore in pruning the vines, and caring for their growth.  There is a very 'hands on approach' to nurturing grape vines.  The true disciple follows the master so closely that the distinction between the master and student is difficult to discern.  Of course in our case it should be that we are following Jesus so carefully, and are so firmly connected to the source of our being, that it is hard to tell us apart from Jesus.

The care of the Father indicates that all of us have to be pruned.  An un-pruned vine might be full of leaves and appear very healthy, but it is really overgrown and offers little or no fruit.  This common theme from the scriptures reiterates the expectation that as disciples we are expected to bear good fruit.  I think it was in Luke's Gospel which we read yesterday for First Communion, and the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand.  When the disciple present their problem to Jesus, is response to them (read to us) is the challenge of, "Give them something to east yourselves."

Fruitful disciples offer an abundance of food.  More so it is in the bearing of fruit that the work of God the Father can be recognized.  Jesus is careful to point this out in John's Gospel.  In John Jesus reminds us that he does nothing on his own.  Rather he obediently follows the Father.  A true disciple responds faithfully to the call to serve, and does what the Father asks of him.  In this way he serves the mission and ministry of the Kingdom of God, and eventually the Church.

But to do any of this calls for that intimate vine and branch relationship which we develop with Jesus the Christ. It is a relationship that is nurtured by lots of pruning and following the commandments of Jesus Christ.  The Spirit empowers us to do this so that we can courageously go out and bear lots of fruit.