John 15:1-5: Branches
Thursday, June 12, 2025
We have examined scripture to reflect on the ways in which the beauty, wisdom, truth, and love in our identity in Christ exemplify our relationship with God in the Spirit. Jesus tells us who he is, reflecting Yahweh’s promise of “I Am Who I Am”. Today we continue to reflect on who we are, and on how we respond to God’s call for merciful justice in all of creation.
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples”. (THE MESSAGE)
Rather than giving in to our fear that we might fall away from the Vine of Christ, we consider the beauty of union with all of creation.
Rather than seeking revenge for the injustices we suffer, we reflect on the wisdom of grafting ourselves to the healing truth of the abiding Spirit.
Rather than lamenting the evil that stalks societies, we contemplate the truth of pruning away all that separates us from the courage and patience of God.
Today we have the opportunity to produce fruit on the great vine of life. Today we rejoice in the gift of Christ’s vineyard. Today we come together in the Spirit of beauty, wisdom, truth, and love.
We pray Psalm 80, and we consider God’s gifts of healing, restoration, and transformation while we repeat verses 8-10 as the antiphon,
You brought a grapevine out of Egypt;
you drove out other nations and planted it in their land.
You cleared a place for it to grow;
its roots went deep, and it spread out over the whole land.
It covered the hills with its shade;
its branches overshadowed the giant cedars.
To find more Vine and Branches posts on this blog, enter the words, Vine or Branch into the blog search bar to explore other reflections.
When we compare other versions of these verses, we discover the beauty, wisdom, truth, and love of our relationship of Vine and Branches.
Image from: https://www.stpeterschurchchicago.org/cm/articles/vine-and-branches
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