Reflection for the month – October

 

I am the Vine….

I, am the vine, the true vine, you are the branches. (John 15.1-16).  Jesus used the grapevine, which is a most prolific plant to show his followers the relationship between them, Himself and God the Father.  A single vine produces many grapes, year after year. Properly pruned the fruitful branches are cut back to promote further growth and fruitfulness.  Branches that bear no fruit are cut off at the trunk. Not only are they worthless, but there is a risk that they might infect the rest of the tree.

Jesus in saying that He was the vine, explained that his Father was the gardener. The pruning is the discipline of our faith, clipping away our self-centred preoccupations, strengthening our resolve to do God’s will, to remain close to Jesus. If we turn away from Him we will be cut off at the trunk, without Him we will end up with nothing.  Believing that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God, and that he is our Lord and Saviour we remain as branches of the true vine.  We follow His commands to believe the gospel, to do God’s will and to love one another. In this way, attached to the vine, we will bear much fruit.  ‘Thy kingdom come’ much more than a pious hope, can become a daily reality.