April 27, 2016 - Wednesday

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 every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
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, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5 NABRE)

This passage resembles a parable.

For example, Israel is spoken of as a vineyard in Isaiah 5:1–7; Matthew 21:33–46 and as a vine in Psalm 80:9–17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5–10; 19:10; and Hosea 10:1.

The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for this portrayal of Jesus in this way.

There may also be secondary Eucharistic symbolism here (see Mark 14:25), “the fruit of the vine.”*

All of these references deepen the meaning of Jesus' statement to his disciples. And what does it tell us about living in today's world? After all, most of us do not work in vineyards. For us, it helps to recall Jesus' last statement in today's passage: Without me you can do nothing.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being there supplying my needs, preparing me for those times when I am given the chance to do something--something, that is, to build the kingdom here in my days and in my corner of this world.


Today, on this Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, I will remain in Jesus by humbly acknowledging my full dependence on him.


Saint Zita of Lucca, patron of maids, domestic workers and servants, pray for us.