NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD:
In today’s gospel reading from John, Jesus once again uses symbols of
creation to bring home to his disciples, and to us, the truth of his
life among us. At the Last Supper, Jesus spent time sharing with the
disciples what might be termed his last will and testament, his parting
words before he entered his passion and death. Sometimes this is
referred to as the Last Discourse.
During Jesus’ time, grape vineyards and the fruit derived from them
were abundant in the Holy Land. Consequently, it was easily understood
by the disciples at the Last Supper when Jesus made the analogy between
himself, his followers and the vine and the branches. Although the
imagery may have been rather clear, the implications involved could
very well have been stumbling blocks for Jesus’ disciples.
Jesus says emphatically, “I am the true vine and my Father is the vine
grower.” After a short time in the same conversation he repeats, “I am
the vine, you are the branches.” A healthy grapevine has no disconnect
between the core vine and the branches from which the fruit will come
forth. Jesus is the vine, the source of life for us, the branches. It
is necessary for us to bear fruit in our lives, not in speeches, but in
truth and action. This happens because of Jesus and his invitation to
life.
St. Paul is a prime example of this reality as we read today in the
Acts of the Apostles. Following his conversion on the road to
Damascus, Paul, who had been a persecutor of Jesus’ followers, spoke
out boldly in the name of Jesus. For Paul, the source of connection
between the divine, God, and life here on earth was Jesus in whom he
believed and trusted. This same truth holds fast for us today. In the
Greek “true” means “lacking forgetfulness” so Jesus lives on both in
time and in the eternal NOW.
