The Vine and the Branches - Jesus the True Vine - John 15

The Vine and the Branches 
Jesus the True Vine
John 15:1-10 
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.  He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit...Remain in me, as I remain in you.  Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.  I am the vine and you are the branches.  Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing..."
In today's Gospel Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches to describe how "he and those united to him form the new Israel of God, the Church, whose head is Christ.  To bear fruit, people must be joined to the true, new Vine, Christ.  It is not a matter of simply belonging to a community but of living the life of Christ, the life of grace, which is the sap that gives life to believers and enables them to bear fruit of eternal life." (Commentary on today's Gospel from The Navarre Bible New Testament, p 424-425) 

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Photo of vineyard - L. A. Momboisse (Fairfield Years)

Fifth Sunday of Easter – Love One Another

 

 

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and all the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Today’s gospel brings us back to the upper room on the night of the Last Supper. Jesus would not be much longer with his disciples; it was as if the words he spoke that night were his dying wish. When a person is facing their last moments on earth the words they express usually have profound meaning. Our Lord’s words from today’s gospel were, “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:33-34) A love that would remain impossible for humans, if it were not for the grace of God.

This commandment brings love to a whole new level. Jesus loved us so much He gave His life for us, for our salvation. Love truly is sacrifice and that sacrifice brings great joy. When I say, “I love” do I mean what God is asking?

I have so much to learn,

Jesus take my hand on this journey for it is difficult

But thanks be to God

I know with You all things are possible

 

“The less we have, the more we give. Seems absurd, but it’s the logic of love….true love causes pain. Jesus, in order to give us the proof of his love, died on the cross. A mother, in order to give birth to her baby, has to suffer. If you really love one another, you will not be able to avoid making sacrifices….God has created us so we do small things with great love….I believe in that great love..” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

For items related to the Catholic Church
please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures