READ SCRIPTURE (John 15: 1-8)

[Jesus said:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. My Father removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit my Father prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

REFLECT ON THE READING

In the ancient Near East, kings and other leaders were often compared with shepherds. But many of them were quite awful, serving only themselves, misleading and betraying and even forsaking the people. They could destroy instead of working to build. We too sometimes have bad leaders. We may even be tempted to support them. Or we may ourselves be such leaders. But Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is the Good Shepherd. He does his “shepherding” — his knowing and leading us — by laying down his life in love, by staying with us, sharing our need and death, and never running away. By the Spirit God gives us through the scriptures — as also through the water of baptism and the overflowing cup of the eucharist — we know him and his healing name. Even now, in a time of separation, the risen Christ is drawing us together into unity as one flock with the one true shepherd. Saved from ourselves and from bad leadership, we are formed to believe in the name of Jesus, to love each other, and to give ourselves to our neighbor’s needs.

PRAY TOGETHER

O God, you give us your Son as the vine apart from whom we cannot live. Nourish our life in his resurrection, that we may bear the fruit of love and know the fullness of your joy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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