I am the Vine, you are the branches

Acts 15:1-6, Jn 15:1-8. Paul and Barnabas edify us on working together in obedience to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, the Vine. Paul is more outspoken, versatile with Jewish education and a lot more exposed to the Gentile world. On the other hand, Barnabas, as the name designates, is a big source of encouragement; the generous man who laid his proceeds at the feet of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit, who sees from within, paired them for His special mission to the Gentiles. In today's first reading, Paul and Barnabas are delegated to Jerusalem for important doctrinal controversy brought about by their fellow Jews. Submissive to the Holy Spirit, they feared no one and agreed to placing Jesus over and above their traditional Jewish inheritance: proceeded to Jerusalem together in defence of ‘faith’ over and above ‘circumcision.’ Paul proposes new idea of inner, spiritual circumcision. He maintains, that it is a matter of the heart, when love and loyalty bind people to God. Jesus is at the heart of this relationship. He is the Vine, we are the branches, so to be joined to Jesus spiritual circumcision is very important to unite us with God.

Once we place Jesus first, we can mutually understand ourselves in the course of our teamwork always. In today’s Gospel, Jesus mentions pruning to suggest that in various ways God prunes our lives to make us fruitful as we work together. There are some things we may need to shed if we are to become all that God is calling us to be. Experiences of letting go, though painful at the time, can help us to grow, spiritually. They lead us to a new relationship with God and with others. As Jesus says, as branches of His vine He remains in us and we with Him. The Lord who makes His home in us will sustain us in those times and will lead us through the painful experience of pruning into a new and more fruitful life. However, for that to happen we need to remain in Him as He remains in us; we need to keep in communion with Him, as He is in communion with us.

May the Lord look upon us with kindness, have mercy on us and heal the world! Amen!! Stay safe and have a wonderful day!!!