“When Noah was five hundred years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

Genesis 5:32

5th Sunday of Easter

John 15:1-8

The image of the vine and the vine grower escapes the understanding of many who do not have a background on this subject. In cultures where wine is crucial the deeper meaning is powerful. Jesus declares that he is the vine from which all those who are a part of him exist. There is pain in the vine due to those who are taking the resources of the vine and not bearing fruit. God the Father is watching the vine and removes the dead while pruning those branches that are producing. The pain of life on the vine is due to lack of productivity, and the promise of greater yield. In other words, pain is a part of growing in Christ and a lack of growth in Christ. The old adage that says, “Life is hard make it hard for Jesus,” well applies. As we commit ourselves to living in Christ we accept that even in our productivity we are called to the next level, just as Jesus of Nazareth was called to do.