I AM THE TRUE VINE

Jesus said: “I am the vine and you are the brances!” (John 15:5) He reveals that He is the source of life and fruitfulness. Our best interest is at the heart of Jesus. He wants the best version of ourselves. The vine grower is God, the Father who cares for the well-being and fruitfulness of the vine through pruning. We are the branches and our task is to bear fruitful love, fruits that will last. The image of the pruning is powerful because it is beneficial to the vine so that it will flourish and bear much fruit. However, pruning is painful because it cuts away unnecessary branches and leaves in the vine and those branches that do not bear fruits are thrown into the fire to be burned. In the same way, life involves pain. Our pain is not a sign of God’s displeasure. Suffering is not a punishment of God. Pruning renews the vitality of the vine so that it becomes the best vine. When we experience pruning in our lives, it molds and shapes us so that we become the best that we can be. God is our Father and we are His children and He disciplines us. He is the potter and we are the clay. The fire of God’s love destroys what is evil and purifies what is good in us. Remain in me as I remain in you. We are called to stay connected to Jesus. In our baptism we are grafted onto Christ because we are His body, He is the head. To remain in Jesus is to keep His great  command of love. The world will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another (John 13:35). The new commandment is to love one another as Jesus loves us. Without me you can do nothing. Everything comes from God and it is in being seen and loved by God that we are alive and true. God is the supreme good and absolute in our lives. He should be above all things. When we remain in Him, we bear fruits that will last. These are the fruits of the Holy Spirit according to St. Paul (Galatians 5:22). These are  love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, generosity and self-control. When we bear fruits, we glorify the Father and we become true disciples of Jesus.