John 15,1-7.
This excerpt is taken from John’s account of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse, (John Chs 14-17). Given this context, the theme of this extract has a definite Eucharistic flavour. The OT often compares the people of Israel to a vineyard and less often to a vine. Here Jesus describes himself as the true vine. Earlier Jesus has described himself to the Samaritan Woman, at the well, as the source of living water, and on the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves, as the living bread that has come down from heaven. Here, Jesus claims that he is the only source of real life that comes from above – from the Father. In that sense he is the true vine.
The Father is the vinedresser who cuts off the dead branches which bear no fruit, the dead wood – those who do not live a virtuous life, who don’t keep the commandments. He also prunes those branches which bear fruit so that they may bear even more. This implies growth of the life of Jesus in us and a drawing closer to him, becoming more and more one with him. Speaking directly to the disciples he tells them that they are pruned (“cleansed”) by his word – his teaching. They remain in Jesus through their loyalty and faith in him and he is in them through his love and life-giving presence with them. Being a branch of the vine means unity and a shared life with him.
If the disciples remain in Jesus and his words remain in them, if they accept him and all he reveals and teaches, they may ask for anything and they will get it, because being aligned to the Father’s will through their union with Jesus, they will ask for what is appropriate for their mission. The glory of God is a fruitful, alive, person. The disciples will represent Jesus in the world and like him will be seen as glorifying the Father.
Jesus used the imagery of the vine to throw light on the mystery of his intimacy with them. He and they are more than friends. They are as close as the vine is to its branches. They are one in love, life, and mission. Jesus as vine is the life- giver and they as branches receive life from him. This imagery occurring in the Last Supper setting reminds us too of our similar unity with Christ in and through the Eucharist.
The vine and branch imagery speaks of the most intimate, life-giving, unbreakable union between Jesus Christ and us. “In him we live and move and have our being” as St Paul says. Spend some time enjoying that truth in the depths of your being.
Fruit is always found on the weakest part of the branch of the tree, hanging from the weakest twigs. Our weak points could be the most fruitful areas of our lives too, with the Lord’s help. Our awareness of our weaknesses could make us more dependent on him, rather than on ourselves.
Using the parable of the Vine as the basis for his Encyclical, Christifideles Laici, St. John Paul II provided us with a treasure of insights on the “Vocation and Mission of the Lay faithful in the Church and the World.” He emphasised that there is a huge variety of vocations in the Lord’s Vineyard. This letter deserves to be read and meditated upon. Give it a try. Have you found your ways to promote God’s kingdom in your daily life?
Fr Geoff O’Grady