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Have you ever seen a grapevine in the wild? Left to itself, the plant rambles through underbrush and clings to everything in its path. It puts its energy into wrapping itself around rocks, brambles, tree trunks. It produces small, usually bitter fruit. A well-tended vine—something you’d expect to find on the slopes of wine country in California or Italy—is another story entirely. This plant is tall, sturdy, and trained to produce. Thanks to careful pruning, it yields large clusters of healthy, sweet-tasting grapes.

Speaking to people who were well acquainted with the differences between wild and cultivated plants, Jesus used the image of the grapevine to convey an important spiritual truth. God our Father is the vinegrower par excellence, the master cultivator of the human vineyard. Wanting the best for his vines, he enables each one to tap into the source of true life—into an intimate, abiding relationship with his Son. Maintain this connection, Jesus promises, and you will live an abundant, fruitful life.

Characteristically, vines have two kinds of branches: those that bear fruit and those that don’t. The non-producing branches must be carefully pruned back so that the vine can devote all its resources to the fruit-bearing branches. The same is true of the vines in the Father’s vineyard. Staying connected to Jesus and producing a healthy yield necessarily means allowing ourselves to be pruned. It means trusting in Jesus’ goodness and obeying his commands so that all that is not of him can be stripped away.

Jesus said that there can be no real fruit apart from him (John 15:5). There is a simple truth here: We are either fruit-bearing or we are not. There is no in-between. Jesus promises us abundant fruit, provided we remain one with him and say yes to his gentle, but firm, pruning in our lives. The heavenly vinegrower awaits our answer. Will you allow him to cultivate you?

“Heavenly Father, make my heart one with you and your Son, so that I may bear fruit that brings you glory and honor.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.    In the first reading we find Saul speaking “boldly in the name of the Lord.” In the Responsorial Psalm, we read: “Let the coming generation be told of the Lord.” In what ways have you been willing to boldly tell others of Christ within your family? At work? Where does this boldness come from?

2.    The second reading encourages us to love “not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” How well do you regard other members of your parish as your brothers and sisters? In what ways do you show it? Discuss some possible ways your group can reach out to others in your parish or your community.

3.    In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he will “prune” the vine (us) so that we will bear more fruit. How has the pruning by the Lord allowed your faith and your good works to grow?

4.    Again in the Gospel, we are presented with the picture of clinging to Christ, and always the choice is ours. His invitation to us is always there no matter how many times we have rejected it. What are the times in your life when you feel closest to the Lord? When most distant? What can you learn from these examples?

5.    In the article, we hear these words, “Jesus promises us abundant fruit, provided we remain one with him and say yes to his gentle, but firm, pruning in our lives. The heavenly vine grower awaits our answer. Will you allow him to cultivate you?” What steps can you take to allow this to happen?

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen