Practicing Resurrection - Be a Branch

John 15. 1 - 8

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.

Though the COVID pandemic caused great chaos and pain in the world, there are pockets of humanity where it bore fruit. Small groups of people began to meet online to read, mark and inwardly digest life and scripture and God's presence in our lives. Many of you reading this message participated and even still participate in those groups. Sunday's gospel about the vine and the branches reminded me of the beauty of strong branches as they come off of a vine. This picture of a tree in my yard illustrates it so well...the barrenness of the vine gives no clue as to the fruitfulness of the branches and the foliage it produces...but without that vine, the branches would not be there.

If we are grafted into a strong vine, we are empowered to be branches in the world...and as Paul said, our fruit will be love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I give thanks for all those branches which have helped me to be fruitful.