Bloom Where Planted

There are seven I AM statements in the Gospel of John. Last week we had the fourth, this week, we have number seven:

I AM the true vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser (John 15).

Jesus is the vine – we are the branches. Our lives are interwoven with our Lord in intimacy and vulnerability – essential in sincere friendship.

Furthermore:

Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty.

We are not called to be busy.

No, we are called to be fruitful, and that requires ‘blooming where we are planted.’

So much of life can be wasted by waiting until the right moment arrives or the right circumstances finally present themselves:

No. Out with excuses.

Let’s shut down, once and for all, the ‘complaints department.’

Fruitfulness follows as sure as day follows night.

But we must toughen up:

Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more.

Purification is entirely necessary.

We are going to have to lose some branches and let ourselves be pruned:

For the Father – the majestic Vinedresser – is constantly at work.

Amen