I AM THE VINE

V EASTER SUNDAY - John 15:1-8

I am in Fatima at the invitation of the former students of the seminary of Lamego. I had no time to write my reflection on the Sunday readings.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I am the true vine,

and my Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in me that bears no fruit

he cuts away,

and every branch that does bear fruit

he prunes to make it bear even more.

You are pruned already,

by means of the word that I have spoken to you.

Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.

As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,

but must remain part of the vine,

neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine,

you are the branches.

Whoever remains in me, with me in him,

bears fruit in plenty;

for cut off from me you can do nothing.

Anyone who does not remain in me

is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;

these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,

and they are burnt.

If you remain in me

and my words remain in you,

you may ask what you will

and you shall get it.

It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,

and then you will be my disciples.’

We are invited to look at our relationship with Jesus. Without him, we cannot produce fruits of holiness. We will dry out like branches cut off from the trunk of the tree. It is from him that we receive grace upon grace. In him, we are reconciled with the Father and become his beloved children.