Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Jn 15: 1-8
May 10, 2023 | Wednesday

Today’s Gospel

I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower. If any of my branches doesn’t bear fruit, he breaks it off; and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.

You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you. Live in me as I live in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you, if you don’t remain in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away, as they do with branches, and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it will be given to you. My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches. This is a familiar parable to us. Jesus tells His disciples that he, Jesus, is the “true” vine and His Father is the vine grower. As His Father is the vine grower, He is responsible for growing good grapes that will make good quality wine. Jesus also says that the vine grower will prune us. Painful as this seems, this pruning will enable us to bear more fruit.

However, who wants to be pruned? Typically, pruning entails loss and pain. Of course, we prefer to be left alone. However, if we are not pruned, the consequence is that we will not bear good fruit. Life prunes us all the time. And most often, we do not like pruning. Being pruned is typically painful and difficult. Yet, after a period, we may come to realize that this pruning has enabled us to bear fruit in new and different ways. We also may begin to experience the new life that has come from our pruning. We may have grown and changed for the better!

The vine grower recognizes when the vines need to be pruned. And the vine grower also realizes that better fruit will grow because the vine has been pruned. Do we trust our “vine grower?” Do we trust that God only desires goodness, happiness, and abundant fruit for us? Hopefully, our answer is yes! True, it does not take away the pain of being pruned. Most often, “being pruned” is difficult. However, if we trust our vine grower and believe that growth and plenty will come from the pruning, we will bear abundant fruit in our lives. Today and always may we trust our Vine grower. He only desires what is best for us. And He will prune us in a gentle and loving way! /Vulnerasti, 2023