vine & branches

In the gospel reading for this coming Sunday, Jesus tells his disciples "I am the vine, you are the branches." It comes as part of the Farewell Discourse - the (extended) parting words Jesus shares with his disciples on their last night together, after he washes their feet. The illustration continues themes from elsewhere in John of abiding in Jesus and of Jesus's "I am" declarations, as well as themes from the Hebrew Bible, where the image of the vine and vinegrower is used to represent the relationship between God and God's people. 

Photo by Vera Cires on Unsplash

Themes of relationship and abiding and connection are especially resonant in this current moment. We recognize, perhaps more deeply than ever before, that we were created for life in community - with God, with one another, and with creation. Like a vine and branches, we are connected and intertwined, and our growth and flourishing depends on that connection. Apart from the vine, the branches will die. Without branches, the vine cannot bear fruit.

And yet, we find ourselves increasingly isolated, and divided - issues not so much caused by the pandemic as revealed by it. Our society was already growing more isolated in many ways (Robert Putnam's original essay that led to the book Bowling Alone was published in 1995). Social clubs have aging and declining memberships, support networks are sparse, and we know fewer of our neighbors. Churches, once an important hub of social interaction, have been declining in attendance and influence across the board. "Deaths of despair" like suicide and drug overdoses are occurring at shockingly high levels. The social fabric is fraying, with disastrous results. We are finding that loneliness and disconnection do not create thriving communities. In other words, "the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine".

After a year of particularly acute separation and isolation, I think many of us have a new appreciation for the value (and necessity!) of relationship and abiding and connection. Lots of things have been pruned away from our lives, and we are eager to see what will grow back. What have we missed the most over the past year, and what was a welcome reprieve? Which connections could use some intentional cultivation and fertilizer? What fruit are we bearing together? What might change when we recognize how closely we are connected and take seriously the ways our choices affect others?

Especially at the times we are feeling disconnected, we give thanks for Jesus the vine who clings tightly to us and joins us to one another. We rejoice in the waters of baptism, which strengthen and empower us to bear the fruit of God's love in the world. 


Bonus resources: 

• This deeper reflection on John 15:1-8, by Susan Palo Cherwien in Christian Century.
• Anyone else have fond memories of this Sunday School/VBS song?