In today’s Gospel reading, we experience the imagery of the vine and the branches. As the branch of the vine matures, it begins to look more like the vine itself. As it remains connected, is sustained by the nourishment provided, and protected by the vine grower, the branches become more and more conformed to the vine. This is also true in the event that a branch not originally attached to the vine is grafted to it. Over time, the branches are almost indistinguishable from the vine itself.

Our hope, as disciples of Jesus, no matter what our background, culture, gender, ethnicity, or race will be the same. We are to be one as the Son and the Father are one. As St Paul has written to the Churches in Galatia and Collosse: In Christ there is neither Jew or Greek, circumcision or uncircumcision, male or female, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free because we are all one in Christ (cf. Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11).

We are not to be automatons, cyborg, ants, mindless followers. Being a Christian means the opposite, the more we are conformed to Jesus, the more we come to know him and also to really come to know the uniqueness of ourselves. We begin to let go of the pressures to conform to that which stunts our growth and begin to embrace who we are, the truth of our reality and dignity. That sense of being fully who we are that sometimes just wants to burst out is allowed to be free when we die to our false selves and live in Christ.

We must resist the temptation of turning in upon ourselves, for when we do, we disconnect ourselves from the vine, from the very source of our life. Just as the body will suffer without water regularly, so our soul will suffer if we are separated from the living spring of our sustenance. Remaining connected to Jesus, our true vine, means that we will mature and live our life to the full, with joy that reaches out beyond ourselves to serving the needs of others, thus bearing fruit to share.

There are unique interests and desires that each of us have that have been placed in our heart by God that when we identify them and put them into practice we thrive and bring about opportunities of healing and growth for others. There are also thoughts and temptations offered by the enemy that leads us away from the Lord, disconnecting us from the source of the vine. If we don’t discern well and correct that disconnection, it leads to spiritual weakening and death. The key is to discern correctly and identify prudently between that which separates and leads to death and that which unifies and gives us life in Jesus. Taking a breath, lifting our heart and mind to God, getting in touch with what we experience in each of our decisions, and daily examining our day will help us to sharpen our discernment and strengthen our connection with the True Vine.

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Photo: Jesus our Vine. Rosary Garden, St Peter Catholic Church, Jupiter, FL

Link for the Mass readings for Wednesday, April 28, 2024