The vine and the branches describe the kind of relationship Jesus invites us to share with Him. For those living in agricultural societies, the image would speak very directly to them, for they would be well acquainted with the nature of crops like grapes whose fruit is carried on a vine. We recognise that the branch of any plant must remain attached to its source, or else it will wither and die, and its fruit as well.

In the same way, Jesus tells us that we must remain attached to Him if we hope to keep that necessary connection to the source of our spiritual life and be able to produce fruit the words and actions that reveal us as authentic Christians, and support the lives of others. Jesus came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly. By remaining connected to Him, His life flows into us and enables us to live creative lives, lives that give life to others. As we grow more mature in our relationship to the Lord, we find that our lives are pruned of all the various distractions and preoccupations that rob us of life and produce nothing.

We remain connected with the Lord especially in our reception of the Eucharist, in hearing the Scriptures, and in our personal prayer. The Lord promises us that our lives will bear much fruit if we remain with Him, and that our prayers will be heard.