LIVING IN THE VINE.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER. YEAR B.
May 14, 2006.
(First reading: Acts 9:26-31) (Psalm 22:26-32)
(Second reading: 1 John 3:18-24) (Gospel: John 15:1-8)

LIVING IN THE VINE.

The symbolism of the vine and the branches stresses the unity which exists between God and man. Such unity is two-fold:

1. There is unity in that all the branches are parts of the one Vine.
2. There is also unity in that God works together with all human beings as vine growers.

We, human beings, experience life as "branches" of the vine and as "workers tending the vine" both 1) as individual entities, and 2) as collective entities.

1) At the individual level, each human being is responsible for fostering the growth of those inner "branches" which enhance his own human nature, while "cutting off" ("pruning") those "branches" that are detrimental. For instance:
I must foster the growth within me of those "branches" that produce fruits of humility, charity, justice, peace, equality, respect, self sacrifice, unselfishness.
I must, on the other hand, "cut off" my own selfishness or any inclination to dispossess my fellow human beings or my indifference or insensitivity toward the sufferings of others, or my inclination to side with the oppressors or my cowardice to denounce the unjust.

2) At the collective level, human beings are responsible for fostering the growth of those societal institutions ("branches") which enhance the life of human society as a whole, while "pruning" ("cutting off") those which promote wars, aggression, oppression, inequality, injustice, economic dispossession.

Let us examine these specific "branches" of our societal life:
- The "branch" of political institutions. They will become branches connected to the Vine (the Lord Jesus) only when they serve the best interest of the people they govern, when they look after the well-being of all human beings, when they strive after justice, equality, peace for all. If such institutions fail to do so, then they are dead "branches" that are to be "pruned" and "thrown into the fire to be burnt".

- The "branch" of economic institutions. They will become branches connected to the Vine only when they include all human beings in the production and consumption of wealth. If such institutions fail to do so, then they are dead "branches to be thrown into the fire to be burnt".

- The "branch" of judicial institutions. They will become living parts of the Vine only when their justice is based on respect for life, equality for all human beings and the promotion of true order and peace for all. If such institutions fail to do so, then they are to be "thrown into the fire and be burnt".

- The "branch" of educational institutions will become part of the Vine only when they promote the wholesome intellectual and moral development of all human beings. The "branch" of health institutions will be part of the Vine only when they prevent and treat the physical and mental diseases of all human beings. The "branch" of technology will be part of the Vine only when its achievements are destined to the betterment of living standards for all.
If such institutions fail to do so, then they are to be separated from the vine and "be thrown into the fire".

- Special attention must be given to the family as a societal institution, for the family is the foundation of any human collectivity and therefore must be the cradle where justice, peace, mutual respect, unity and equality are born. If our families fail to do so, then they are not part of the Vine.

Only when the "branches" of humanity remain attached to the Vine (our Lord Jesus Christ), will they be able "to glorify the Lord for generations yet to come, declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn" (Psalm 22:32).

Human beings, individually or collectively, glorify the Lord when they become "branches bearing much fruit" (John 15:8).

The First Letter of John tells us that we remain in the Vine whenever we "love in deed and truth and not merely talk about it". (1 John 3:18).

By virtue of this unity between the branches and the Vine, "whatever we ask of God, it will be done for us" (John 15:7), for we work together with God as vine growers and we live in the Vine.