Sunday Readings: Acts 9.26-3; 1 John 3.18-24; John 15.1-8
“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.” – John 15.4
A vine is a single plant. All its branches share the life its roots draw from the soil and its leaves from the sun. A vine can spread extravagantly from its roots but one life flows through the whole plant. Jesus isn’t talking plants in his farewell conversations with his friends after the Last Supper. He is talking about how these disciples will continue to share friendship with him after he has returned to God. Their relationship will remain; its life-sharing energy will persist. Jesus’ words will keep working in us to transform us.
A vine is a great image of the Church. Its root is in Jesus Christ and its mission is to grow to the ends of Earth. Like his disciples, all of us who follow Jesus share the life of the vine. Our roots in Jesus’ life and love empower us to branch out and bear fruit where we live: to call others to faith in Jesus, to serve our families and communities, to make the small differences that build the common good.
In what relationships do you abide? How do these relationships help you understand Jesus continuing presence with us?
