Sunday Gospel Reflection, May 2, 2021: I am the vine, and you are the branches...

I am the vine, you are the branches…

How might you bear more fruit for God?

    In the midst of the Last Supper Discourse in John’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims himself to be the true vine, while his disciples are the branches, pruned by the Father, that they might bear much fruit. This responsibility is projected down the ages to us. God has made us that we might bear fruit as well, but in order to do so, we must stay connected to the Lord. If we remain in him, Jesus says, if we believe in him and allow his words to remain in us, then the fruit we bear will be that of love and connection and, ultimately, the good news of salvation for all. This was the case of the early church, as the Acts of the Apostles demonstrates: The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. The disciples are now comfortable spreading the good news, conscious that the Holy Spirit is at work in them. When Saul arrives in Jerusalem, the disciples require evidence that he, too, is bearing fruit, walking the walk, acting out of love for Christ and for the church and for the people to whom he is proclaiming the good news.

    If we believe in the Lord, if we belong to the truth, as the First Letter of John tells us, then we are confident in our faith, and able to rely upon God and God’s judgment. Indeed, we can have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we love one another just as he commanded us. It’s not the talk we talk, but the walk we walk, the love we give in deed and truth, that identifies us as true disciples, able to bear much fruit and thereby to glorify the Father by spreading his good news. Let the coming generation be told of the Lord, Psalm 22 states, that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice the Lord has shown. The fruit we bear when our hearts remain in Christ and open to him is proof indeed that in him our soul does live, and live fully, in our love for each other and for the Lord. 

This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com