John 15:1
“I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. 3 Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. 4 Stay united with me, as I will with you — for just as the branch can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can’t bear fruit apart from me.
5 “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. 6 Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.
7 “If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. 8 This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim.
(Complete Jewish Bible).I used to serve a congregation that handed each new member a scrappy little ivy houseplant with the base of the pot simply wrapped in some tinfoil. Some longtime members reported that their plants were still alive several decades later, the ivy snaked around the molding in their living room. Others watched their plants shrivel up and die before they found a proper pot and window sill.
The green thumbs urged less experienced gardeners not to become discouraged or to read too much into the metaphor. The community would always be much heartier than any single aloe or philodendron! And they were right. That little parish has a way of folding people from the margins into the very center of life so that everyone is changed and the whole church body bears fruit. The branches grow strong because of their connection to the vine. They invite and welcome so well because they do so with the gratitude and joy that they feel about their own invitation and welcome in Christ.
God of life, we gather because you have extended an invitation to life abundant. Send us into the world inspired by your welcome so that all of our words and deeds bear good fruit that is rooted in Christ. Amen.
Meta Herrick Carlson, '08
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities/Minnetonka Campus Pastor, Minneapolis, Minn.
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.
2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.
3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.
4 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.
5 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.
6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (New Revised Standard Version)
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
***
No comments:
Post a Comment