“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
 

On this Fifth Sunday of Easter, we continue to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and victory over sin and death. He wills to share the joy of eternal life with each one of us and uniting completely with us through the sacraments of the Church.

The readings in recent weeks invite us to ponder our oneness with Christ, first considering the architectural aspect (e.g. stone and cornerstone), then the pastoral imagery (e.g. flock and shepherd), and now the agrarian life (e.g. branches and vine), challenging us to consider even more deeply the mystery of our union with and in Jesus Christ.

Vineyard is a familiar and striking image drawn directly from the terraced hills of Israel and Judah. It is a motive popular among the Hebrew prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Psalms for describing the relationship between God and Israel. Similarly, vineyards and vinedressers are the subjects of many Jesus’ parables. He uses the vine as a symbol of the new Israel or the Kingdom of God, which He has come to establish it.

Moreover, Jesus identifies personally Himself with the vine and indicates that all who believe in Him are the branches upon whom they depend for life, mission, grace, strength and union with God and with one another. By completely uniting ourselves with Jesus Christ and nobody else, we can obtain the eternal life.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to repent our sins, reflect on our vocation of dynamic Christian discipleship to live a holy life to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.

How can we abide more intimately together in Christ Jesus?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.