Last Sunday we heard the words of Jesus: “I am the good shepherd”. Today we heard the words of Jesus: “I am the vine” (Jn15:1) As I mentioned last Sunday, there are seven “I am words” of Jesus in the gospels. They are: “I am the light of the world” (Joh 8,12-20 und 9,1-7); “ I am the door” (Joh 10,1-10) ; I am resurrection and life”(Joh 11,17-27); “I am the way truth and life” (Joh 14,1-14). “I am the good shepherd” Jn 10:11). “I am the vine” (Jn15:1). All of Jesus’ words are references to God’s love to people and the invitation to people to become like God in order to be able to live happily anyone up to experience God. The “I am words” also show the real and intimate relationship between God and people and the invitation to people to cultivate similar inseparable relationships with one another.
In today’s Gospel Jesus says: I am the vine, you are the branches.” The father is the winemaker. He cuts off every branch that does not bear fruit. He means that Jesus, the Father and we belong together and that the Father sees what should happen to us. Cutting off the barren vines is an important issue. There are situations where we feel cut off and find it painful. We are afraid of changes, cuts, having to leave something. But if the vines are to bear fruit, it is absolutely necessary to prune the vines. If the winemaker doesn’t do it, he doesn’t get good fruit. The winemaker doesn’t ask whether the vine wants it or not. The winemaker knows that the vine needs it. This is why Jesus says that the Father cuts off branches without asking them if it hurts them or pleases them or suits them, because the Father knows that without this action the branch will not bear fruit. It is also to be understood that Jesus does not take this work of cutting into his own hands, but rather that he leaves it to the Father. It is also important for our actions that we should not immediately and quickly take on the task of cutting things off, but rather leave things to the will of God.
The Father purifies every branch that bears fruit. Whoever stays with Jesus is pure. “Abide in me and I will remain in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
but only if it remains on the vine,
then you also cannot bear fruit,
if you do not abide in me.”
In these words the importance of community becomes very clear. We can say that every family is a community and they form a larger community with their relatives and friends. As believers, we are a community of faith. I remember now the Pope Benedict’s words that those who believe are never alone. With Jesus’ call to stay together in community with him and with each other and proclaim that we as Christians are a community and that we want to remain in this community.
Wanting to stay in community of Jesus is the prerequisite for being able to bear fruit. We also see a threat in this speech. Jesus says, “Whoever does not abide in me will be thrown away like a branch and will wither.
You gather the vines, throw them into the fire and they burn.” At the same time there is also a promise: “Whoever abides in me and in whom I abide bears much fruit; for apart from me you can accomplish nothing.
If you remain in me and if my words remain in you, then ask whatever you want and you will receive it.” We hear a beautiful and comforting gospel today.
For me, today’s Gospel is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Even if we are not often among the people or do not see them often, we have the confidence that we belong together as believing Christians and members of the church and that we are always perceived as children of God and that therefore we are sisters and brothers. This is a beautiful communal and spiritual experience. In particular, many events in a parish help us to become convinced that we all belong together. God bless us. We have come together to thank God and to celebrate with Jesus. He is in our midst as Lord and brother.
Fr. Joseph Pandiappallil MCBS