In the Gospel of John, eight statements of Jesus begin with “I AM”. Some examples are: “I am the bread of life”, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Last Sunday, we heard Jesus say: “I am the Good Shepherd”. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says: “I am the vine, you are the branches”. All these statements of Jesus demand a positive response from his listeners. It means that if Jesus is the Good Shepherd, then we must follow him. When Jesus is the Truth, we must believe what he teaches. When Jesus is the Bread of Life, we must allow Jesus to nourish us. Finally, if Jesus is the vine, we must remain attached to him like a branch so that we may produce good fruit.
The ‘vine and branch imagery’ reveals our close relationship with Jesus. We belong to Jesus and Jesus belongs to us. Thus, as a branch, we continue to be joined to the vine, to have life in abundance. If we are not united to Christ, we won’t be able to produce the goodness we are supposed to produce. At the beginning of John’s Gospel, Jesus changes water into wine at the wedding at Cana. Towards the end of the Gospel, Jesus transforms wine into his blood. But every Sunday, he continues to transform wine into his blood during the Eucharistic celebration.
Christians believe that Jesus has given a new and authentic life that cannot be destroyed by death anymore. The ancient Jewish Apocryphal book The Life of Adam and Eve describes the death of Adam. But Adam aspired for eternal life when he was about to die. As he became fatally ill, Adam sent his wife Eve and son Seth into the region of Paradise to get the oil of mercy so that he could be anointed and be healed. But the Archangel Michael told them it was impossible to get the oil and hence Adam would die. Later on, Christians added something more to this story, saying that the loving Son of God, Christ, came and anointed all those who believe in him with the oil of mercy. The oil of life which Jesus holds will be given to those who are reborn. In the end, Christ will lead Adam and all believers to the tree of mercy in Paradise.
“Balm of Gilead” was a rare perfume and medicine found in Israel that had healing properties. When the people of Israel were suffering, Prophet Jeremiah asked: “Is there no balm in Gilead, no healer there?” (8:22). Now, this metaphor is used to signify our search for hope in a time of despair. We all search constantly to find meaning and purpose in life. The ‘puzzle of life’ is solved when each piece is placed in the right place. Our work, relationships, and family responsibilities are some of the pieces trying to find their place in the larger picture of life. Our life with Jesus is the new “Balm of Gilead” which heals us from all infirmities.
How do we stay united to the vine to bear much fruit and be judged worthy of eternal life? Prayer is how our souls are exposed to the divine sunlight. When we are in communion with Christ, we become fruitful branches that bear an abundant harvest. This is God giving us a share in his own divine life. Amazing is the result of this union that we will be able to produce fruits of faith for a great spiritual harvest. Every Sunday, because we participate in the Eucharistic celebration, we may discover the joy of being joined to Christ in the community of the believers. Let us try to bring joy and happiness to everyone because of our close and personal relationship with the living Christ.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil