I am the vine, you are the branches

The continuing flow of life between Jesus and his disciples acquires a new image here.

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Through a parable-like pronouncement, Jesus takes the Old Testament figure of Israel as God’s vineyard (Is 5:1-7) and as a vine (Ps 80:9-17; Jer 2:21).

The novelty lies in the more developed image of the Son of Man as the vine (Ps 80:16) and the disciples as the branches. The intimacy that flows between Jesus and the Father now becomes present as well between Jesus and his followers. And this also entails pruning and cleansing, all for the purpose of bearing fruit. The words of Jesus carry both determination and authority: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing” (v 5). Just as our identity as Christians finds purpose and meaning in our union with Christ, so too every action and mission we undertake are done in his name and in obedience to his command.

First Reading • Acts 15:1-6