Life Connected to the Vine

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today underline the connection between the Love of God in Christ and our full life in Christian community.

Connection to the Vine

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes The Council at Jerusalem.

* [15:1–35] The Jerusalem “Council” marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing.

* [15:1–5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 122 is a Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John declares Jesus 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.”

* [15:2] Takes away,prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs.

* [15:6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available at publication time.

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:1-8 comments that of course, Jesus glorified his Father perfectly. We can glorify God too, even if we don’t do it perfectly.

In ancient Israel, a rabbi had disciples—people who followed him, were formed by him, and spread his teaching. The goal was that anyone who saw the disciple would immediately recognize the master through that disciple’s words and actions. The same is true for us, followers of the Lord. The more we are conformed to the Son who perfectly reflects the Father, the more we can bring him glory!

God can be glorified in each one of us. So stay close to Jesus. Let him make you more like himself. And let his life shine forth from you today.

“Jesus, help me to glorify my heavenly Father!” (Meditation on John 15:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler asks the question of the Council of Jerusalem about what do the people who convert become? Perhaps a Jew who believes in Jesus as Messiah? What about observing Mosaic Law? The parable of the Vine and the Fruit in the Last Supper Discourse indicates a choice we have to make. Friar Jude reminds us that if we choose not to be one with God in Jesus, it will not be so.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers Francis and Clare of Assisi models of the liberation and joy of letting go. 

When we agree to live simply, we put ourselves outside of others’ ability to buy us off, reward us falsely, or control us by money, status, punishment, and loss or gain. This is the most radical level of freedom, but, of course, it’s not easy to come by. Francis and Clare created a life in which they had little to lose, no desire for gain, no debts to pay, and no luxuries they needed or wanted. Most of us can only envy them. 

When we agree to live simply, we can understand what Francis meant when he said, “A man had not yet given up everything for God as long as he held on to the moneybag of his own opinions.” [1] Most of us find that this purse is far more dangerous than a money purse, and we seldom let go of it.  

When we agree to live simply, we don’t consider people who are immigrants, refugees, or unhoused as a threat or as competition. We’ve chosen their marginal state for ourselves—freely and consciously becoming “visitors and pilgrims” in this world, as Francis puts it (quoting 1 Peter 2:11). A simple lifestyle is quite simply an act of solidarity with the way most people have lived since the beginnings of humanity. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to find the path that opens the experience of the Love of God as expressed by Christ through the Christian community to all God’s people.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?1 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?1 

Meditation on John 15:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/01/947008/ 

Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Joy of Simplicity. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-joy-of-simplicity/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Abide in Me, and I in You. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may1 

Courage Conviction Community

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the qualities that are essential for our continued connection to the Author of Life.

Life Connection

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Saul in Jerusalem.

* [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18.

* [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:1–7 (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

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). (Psalms, PSALM 22 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the First Letter of John exhorts us to confidence before God and to love in truth and action.

* [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.

* [3:19b–20] This difficult passage may also be translated “we shall be at peace before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for…” or “and before God we shall convince our hearts, if our hearts condemn us, that God is greater than our hearts.” (1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John declares Jesus 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.”

* [15:2] Takes away,prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs.

* [15:6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Sherri Brown comments that some of us have made some major changes along the way. Such changes may be denominational, ethical, theological, or practical, but they may have major impacts on our lives. It is not possible to quantify the difficulty of taking stands against the family lore or staid family positions on theological or political issues. Indeed, relationships have been torn asunder for such and much less.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus ultimately proclaims to his disciples, “I am the true vine, my Father is the vine grower…you are the branches” (John 15:1–8). One doesn’t have to love wine to appreciate this metaphor that, let’s be clear, also includes pruning unproductive branches. We are called to be our best selves, but we are not called to make this effort alone. Jesus needed his disciples for the good news to be what it is. Paul needed Barnabas to become the timeless apostle to the Gentiles. We need each other to be our best selves. Never hesitate to seek out mentors and companions along the Way. The Bible tells you so. (Brown, 2017)

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) (Schwager, 2017)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:1-8 comments that even as we strive to align ourselves with God’s will, we should still keep bringing our needs or desires to Jesus. We should always come to him with the confidence of children who trust in their loving father. After all, we have a good God who wants to give us good things. But in the end, prayer is not an exercise in trying to get him to bend to our will. It’s a process of freely embracing his will.

Jesus is promising us that we can ask and receive as we align ourselves with him and hold onto his words. He himself will dwell within us and lead us to our heavenly Father. And that’s not an empty promise!

“Jesus, help me to abide in you!” (Meditation on John 15:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the trepidation of the apostles in Jerusalem about the visit of Saul. Barnabas introduces Saul but opposition from the Hellenists force Saul to return to Tarsus. Luke expresses the growth of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit from Jews in Jerusalem, then heretical Jews in Samaria, and finally to Gentiles in the whole world. The proclamation of the Love of the Son of God in 1 John is connected to the battle against the heresy of Docetism that did not accept Jesus as the Son of God. The image of the vine and the branches in Jesus' Last Supper discourse resonates with our need to choose life by unity with Christ or bear the consequences of separation from Him.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, finds a model of simplicity in Jesus’ single-mindedness and purity of heart. Like Jesus, my spiritual father Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) was connected to the Source. He truly experienced radical participation in God’s very life. Such practical knowing of his value and true identity allowed Francis to let go of status, privilege, and wealth. Francis knew he was part of God’s plan, connected to creation and other beings, inherently in communion and in love. Francis taught his followers to own nothing so they would not be owned by their possessions. Francis said: 

My brothers! My brothers! God has called me by the way of [humility] and showed me the way of simplicity…. And the Lord told me what He wanted: He wanted me to be a new fool in the world. God did not wish to lead us by any way other than this knowledge. [4] 

If we don’t live from within our own center of connection and communion with God, we’ll go spinning around other things. The goal of all religion is to lead us back to the place where everything is one, to the experience of radical unity with all of humanity and all of creation, and hence to the experience of unity with God, the Great Includer of all. [5] (Rohr, 2017)

We ponder the Way that connects us to the fullness of life and we invoke the Spirit to guide us to attend to the Will of God for our journey.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9?26 

Brown, S. (2017, November 9). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042824.html 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?1 

Meditation on John 15:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/28/944374/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3?18 

Psalms, PSALM 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/22?26 

Rohr, R. (2017, November 9). Purity of Heart. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/purity-of-heart-single-mindedness/ 

Schwager, D. (2017, November 9). Abide in Me, and I in You. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr28