Thoughts for the Day

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

To prune a grape vine it's best to do it during the winter months when the vines are not growing apparently. About 90% of the previous season's growth must be removed, and only two to four new fruiting canes per vine are left. These are cut back to leave some new buds. It sounds drastic, and it is! But like many plants hard pruning is necessary. To put it into context for those of us who might have an ordinary garden rather than a vineyard, with climbing roses we cut back last year's stems that have held the flowers to a few inches. In both cases, vines and roses, all dead or weak growth is also removed.

In the Hebrew scriptures the vine represents Israel, and its branches are the people, but in the New Testament, the vineyard speaks of the relationship between God and His people through the Church. God is the owner of the vineyard, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. Jesus uses this image to speak of the Church, reminding us of the need to stay connected to him for spiritual nourishment, and about being pruned in order to grow healthy fruit.

Oh, and the pruning? Most likely these are the troubles of life (eg sickness, death of loved ones, loss of a job or home etc). Our fruit according to Saint Paul is produced as we grow in faith, despite or because of these difficult times. The fruit we grow is, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5.22-23). As we draw nearer to Jesus the Holy Spirit helps us to grow more fruit.

Lord Jesus Christ,
help us to accept the need for pruning
as we travel through this world,
and to learn from any troubles and difficulties
that we need to lean on You even more.
Strengthen our faith we pray,
and give us the grace to grow more fruit,
particularly in those areas we find tough,
so that we may be of more use to You.
Amen.