Fifth Sunday of Easter (B)

I am the vine, you are the branches. (Jn 15:1-8)

In the Old Testament, Israel was referred to as a vine. But it did not bear fruit and for this reason, according to Jesus, it was uprooted and replaced by a new one. The new vine is Jesus and his disciples are the branches.

BRANCHES THAT DO NOT BEAR FRUIT

Yet Christians can be found who do not bear fruit. We can identify two kinds.

The first are are those who are Christians in name only. It just so happened that they were born Christians. It doesn't really matter to them whether they are Christians or not.

The second kind are those who have given themselves already to a life of sin. St. Paul describes them this way: "They are filled with every form of wickedness, evil, greed, and malice; full of envy, murder, rivalry, treachery, and spite. They are gossips and scandalmongers and they hate God. They are insolent, haughty, boastful, ingenious in their wickedness, and rebellious toward their parents. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless (Rom 1: 30-31)."

What happens to them? God leaves them alone. They grow in their wicked ways. St. Paul says: "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper (Rom 1:28-29)." Using the symbol of the vine, Jesus says: "He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit."

BRANCHES THAT DO BEAR FRUIT

Those Christians who bear fruit are described as: compassionate, kind-hearted, humble, good, patient. They seek forgiveness and they are ready to forgive. They are truthful. They do not let the sun go down on their anger. They are helpful. They give a helping hand. They know how to give thanks. They do not engage idle talk. They are peaceful. They are loving. They do everything in the name of the Lord.

CONCLUSION

Christians form the branches that is Christ. There are two kinds of Christians. Those who bear fruit and those that do not. Which are we?