Staying Connected

Gospel: John 15: 1-8

A vine will grow in all directions if left to itself.  As long as the main stem remains intact and the branches remain rooted to the stem, the vine will grow every which way.  Very often a vineyard owner will prune vines in order to keep them manageable in the farm, but a vine out in the wild has no such limitations.  It will grow endlessly in every direction as long as the main stalk remains unharmed, and as long as the branches remain rooted to the main stem.  

This image Jesus provides to us reminds us that he is that main stalk, and as long as we remain attached to him we will grow in all sorts of directions.  If we become separated from him we lose that life and vitality.  Jesus reminds us that his teaching and example are our main focus in the Christian life.  The daily meditation on the Gospel is the central text of Christian reflection, for we are disciples of the Lord Jesus and no one else.  

We have the constant temptation to follow other voices.  Ideologues and cults of personality are ever present in the modern age with the vast media empires of various Christian groups.  They are but branches, not the main stem of the vine.  The focus of the Christian is to remain rooted to the Lord Jesus, to his lessons and example of life in the Gospels.  That is our only source of life and growth as individuals and communities of Christians.