Wednesday 21 May 2025 - The true vine

Wednesday 21 May 2025

Today is Wednesday the 21st of May, in the 5th week of Eastertide.    Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Abide With Me’. Become aware of Jesus' presence as you prepare to pray today.     Abide with me: fast falls the eventide  The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide  When other helpers fail and comforts flee  Help of the helpless, O abide with me  Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day  Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away  Change and decay in all around I see  O thou who changest not, abide with me  I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless  Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness  Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?  I triumph still, if thou abide with me  Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee  In life, in death, abide with me  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.    John 15:1-8  ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide 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. I 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.  In this passage we can imagine Jesus being inspired by his surroundings as he speaks. Let us take this opportunity to join him. Imagine yourself in the green extravagance of a vineyard, where the air is fragrant with the scent of the earth and the ripeness of grapes. Sunlight bathes the vineyard in golden hues. Jesus stands, his hands gently moving the vines.  Jesus invites your attention. Vines are pruned regularly; there is no margin for waste. The branch that has been pruned, has stopped drawing life from the vine. It can no longer bear the fruit. But see - the branches that remain connected, they flourish.  Take a moment to consider how you understand this image.  Are there parts of your life that need to be pruned?     How might you invite Jesus to bring his attention to what is not life-giving in you?  As you listen to this passage again, notice the invitation from Jesus: "Remain in me. Apart from me, you can do nothing. But with me, your joy will be full."    John 15:1-8  ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide 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. I 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.  How will you respond? What do you want to tell him? What parts of your life need his nourishing presence? Resting in the Lord’s presence, listen to his loving response.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen