John 15:1-8 NRSVue

¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. ²He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. ³You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
How do I abide in the Lord? Above all by prayer, raising my heart and mind to God each morning. There is a worldwide community which uses Sacred Space as a way of abiding in Jesus and drawing strength from him.

Reflection
Sometimes we resist pruning. We do not understand that pruning is vital if we are to bring forth new life. We must trust God’s pruning process. God’s thoughts, words and values must displace our earthbound ones. Only so will we become like the Lord.

Reflection
On this the feast day the example of St Joseph the Worker can enrich us. He said ‘Yes’ to God’s call in difficult circumstances. He opened himself to God’s pruning and abandoned his own preferences. I ask him to help me do likewise.