The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate how our lives are filled through our connection to the True Wine.
Toddler connectionThe reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Paul’s experience in Jerusalem.
* [9:19–30] This is a brief resume of Paul’s initial experience as an apostolic preacher. At first he found himself in the position of being regarded as an apostate by the Jews and suspect by the Christian community of Jerusalem. His acceptance by the latter was finally brought about through his friendship with Barnabas (Acts 9:27).1
Psalm 22 is a plea for deliverance from suffering and hostility.
* [Psalm 22] A lament unusual in structure and in intensity of feeling. The psalmist’s present distress is contrasted with God’s past mercy in Ps 22:2–12. In Ps 22:13–22 enemies surround the psalmist. The last third is an invitation to praise God (Ps 22:23–27), becoming a universal chorus of praise (Ps 22:28–31). The Psalm is important in the New Testament. Its opening words occur on the lips of the crucified Jesus (Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46), and several other verses are quoted, or at least alluded to, in the accounts of Jesus’ passion (Mt 27:35, 43; Jn 19:24).2
The reading from the First Letter of John calls us to have confidence before God.
* [3:19–24] Living a life of faith in Jesus and of Christian love assures us of abiding in God no matter what our feelings may at times tell us. Our obedience gives us confidence in prayer and trust in God’s judgment. This obedience includes our belief in Christ and love for one another.3
In the Gospel of John, Jesus identifies as the True Vine.
* [15:1–17] Like Jn 10:1–5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Is 5:1–7; Mt 21:33–46 and as a vine at Ps 80:9–17; Jer 2:21; Ez 15:2; 17:5–10; 19:10; Hos 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Ps 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sir 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf. Mk 14:25, “the fruit of the vine.”4
Colleen Chiacchere observes her youngest child, 18 month old, Diego, illustrates a clear example of this connection of the vine and the branches. His developmental stage represents this deep connection to his parents while having freedom to explore the world.
As I imagine little 18 month Diego and his relationship with us, his parents, I am humbled and enlightened at how he represents some insight for me into my relationship with God. Perhaps some of these questions might be helpful for you, too!
How might I be called to bear fruit in the world where there is hurt, distrust and division?5
How do I interact with Christ as my companion in navigating this world?
Are there similarities or connections between my spiritual life and the developmental phase of a toddler?
How do I rest or remain in God when I am celebrating, navigating or hurting?
Don Schwager quotes “Cleansed by Jesus' word,” by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.
"So the world - life enslaved by carnal passions - can no more receive the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye can look at the light of a sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples' lives through his teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot receive him, because it neither sees him nor knows him... You know him, for he dwells with you' (John 14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who settled the earth and the things in it; and gives breath to the people on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5). From this we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above them become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 9:26-31 notes that by his own admission, Paul was “an arrogant man” before his conversion (1 Timothy 1:13). You can imagine how some of that arrogance might still have been present as he tried to convert people. Maybe the man who had once spent his life “breathing murderous threats” against Christians still needed to learn Jesus’ teaching about being poor in spirit (Acts 9:1). So it’s possible that God was using the chaos Paul encountered in Jerusalem to help him examine his heart and see where he still needed to change.
Anyone who has lived more than a few decades will tell you how valuable it is to be pruned by the Lord. They probably didn’t enjoy it at the time, but looking back, they could appreciate the fruit of such pruning. Coming face-to-face with our selfishness or arrogance or resentments can move us to turn to Jesus and ask him to purify us and set us free. So let Jesus prune you from time to time. He promises that if you do, you will bear “more fruit” (John 15:2). You’ll become more like him, just as Paul did. “Jesus, you are a wise and gentle gardener. Keep pruning me so that I can become more like you.”7
Friar Jude Winkler speculates that Luke may not have known Paul’s ministry well. We preach in action. If we belong to Jesus we will not have fear If we truly love we will recognize we are forgiven. Friar Jude reminds us of the Eucharistic connections in chapters 6, 13, 21 and in today’s passage.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflection on trauma has made him think that much of the human race must have suffered from what we now call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is heartbreaking to imagine, but it gives him much more sympathy for the human person caught in repeated cycles of historical violence.
It is no wonder that Jesus teaches so much about forgiveness, and shares so much healing touch and talk. He does not resort to the usual moral categories, punishment practices, the frequent blame, or the simplistic sin language of most early-stage religious people. That is why he is such a huge spiritual master. Christians almost avoided seeing this by too glibly calling him “God.” He offers everything to us for our own transformation—everything! Not to change others but to change ourselves. Jesus never “cancels” other people or groups.8
Our difficulties may be a consequence of our separation from the Vine.
References
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