The Word of God
‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 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.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus refers repeatedly to bearing fruit, and that is what following him is all about. The branch that bears fruit is pruned, and pruning is always painful, it seems that parts of us are being torn away with violence, and we look and feel as dead. Yet the pruning is an act of trust, for the pruned branch will bear abundant fruit. I look back at the pruning moments in my life and see how true this is. I ask Jesus to be at my side when I am being pruned.
- The Father himself is the vine-grower. Fruit trees are wonderful things, but they need great care and understanding of what is going on in them at every moment. The Father, the all-knowing and all-powerful is the one who takes care of me, and his pride and glory, like every farmer, is that I bear abundant fruit. I stay with this image of the Father as the one tending my life, and I feel my heart fill with trust and gratitude.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Here is a new image of God. The vine-grower has a sharp knife, and a keen eye to the vine’s health. If he cuts out, it is to make the plant more vigorous and fruitful.
- Lord, when I feel your sharp touch, I may resent it; but I trust your love for me.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus invites me to ‘abide’, to rest, to stay, to remain. Perhaps it is a challenge to me as I would like to be active and doing. I take some time to realise how it is that I need to be connected with the very life of Jesus, to know the beating of his heart, to receive life from him just as a great branch from the vine.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus invites me to ‘abide’, to rest, to stay, to remain. Perhaps it is a challenge to me as I would like to be active and doing. I take some time to realise how it is that I need to be connected with the very life of Jesus, to know the beating of his heart, to receive life from him just as a great branches from the vine.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The word ‘abide’ appears often in this gospel passage. It speaks of the intimate, personal relationship which Jesus desires between himself and us. Just as the branch depends on the vine for its nourishment, growth and life, so too disciples depend on Jesus for their well-being and fruitfulness.
- To be close to Jesus is the requirement for bearing much fruit. ‘The glory of God is the human person fully alive’ [St. Irenaeus]. How fully alive am I? Dear God, where I am dead, bring me to life!
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Sometimes we resist pruning. We do not understand that pruning is vital if we are to bring forth new life. We must trust God’s pruning process. God’s thoughts, words and values must displace our earthbound ones. Only so will we become like the Lord.
- On this the feast day the example of St Joseph the Worker can enrich us. He said ‘Yes’ to God’s call in difficult circumstances. He opened himself to God’s pruning and abandoned his own preferences. I ask him to help me do likewise.