For
Sunday, April 29, 2018, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year B, Readings: Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:24-30, 1 John
4:7-21,
John 15:1-8
John 15:1-8
Then the Spirit
said to Phillip, "Go over to his chariot and join it." So Phillip ran
up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, "Do you
understand what you are reading?" He replied, "How can I, unless
someone guides me?" [Acts 8:29-31a]
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: "May your heart live for ever!"...My soul shall live for him... [Psalm 22:25, 29a]
Those who say, "I love
God," and hate their brothers and sisters are liars; for those who do not love
a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not
seen. [1 John 4:20]
Jesus said
to his disciples, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He
removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit
he prunes to make it bear more fruit...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." [John 15:1-2, 4b-5a]
Spring has arrived in this part of the globe, at long last by some standards, after a seemingly endless and relentless winter. The weekend cacophony of lawn mowers, weed trimmers, ATVs, and skateboards rises with the temperature. Gardeners are happily and belatedly filling their wheeled carts with soil, compost, and mulch, cleaning away the debris of autumn and winter, preparing the earthen beds for planting, and pruning shrubs, bushes, and trees.
Every gardener, even one with a single small
plant, knows that good growth requires maintenance. Some plants, such as a grapevine
or an apple tree, need pruning to make them stronger and able to produce more
and better fruit. Along with water, sunshine, and good soil, a gardener must
tend the pots, rows, fields, or orchards with care, knowledge of weather, season, and
region or growing zones.
This week, as Spring is sprung here, Jesus tells us that he is the true vine and that God is the vinegrower. Jesus calls us to abide in him as he abides in us, joined to him as branches on the vine. We will bear much fruit if we seek to prune our inner deadwood to clear the way for new spiritual sprouting. But the fruit we bear is not for our own care and feeding ~ it is to be shared with others for their nurture and growth. As we, the branches, grow stronger, we draw together as brothers and sisters in a community of faith, hope, and eternal love in and with Christ as our Vine, the Holy Spirit as our Guide to understanding, and God Almighty as our ultimate Gardener/Vinegrower. Even if Autumn is the new season where you are, there is always much to do to prepare your inner garden for the winter ahead. Time to branch out, fruitfully, with Jesus.
This week, as Spring is sprung here, Jesus tells us that he is the true vine and that God is the vinegrower. Jesus calls us to abide in him as he abides in us, joined to him as branches on the vine. We will bear much fruit if we seek to prune our inner deadwood to clear the way for new spiritual sprouting. But the fruit we bear is not for our own care and feeding ~ it is to be shared with others for their nurture and growth. As we, the branches, grow stronger, we draw together as brothers and sisters in a community of faith, hope, and eternal love in and with Christ as our Vine, the Holy Spirit as our Guide to understanding, and God Almighty as our ultimate Gardener/Vinegrower. Even if Autumn is the new season where you are, there is always much to do to prepare your inner garden for the winter ahead. Time to branch out, fruitfully, with Jesus.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
Jesus, Abundant Vine of Life, prepare our souls as
the fertile soil that will bring forth the harvest of Your love and peace. Teach
us to see, know, and nourish all people as our brothers and sisters, companion branches
in God’s Holy Vineyard.
Infinite,
Abiding Lord
RESPONSE: Guide
us to perfect love
~ Jesus, Abundant Vine of Life, transform our complacence into
compassion and ignite desire and courage within us to stand in faith and act
together, for all who are denied justice across this world and at national and
local levels. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Infinite,
Abiding Lord
Guide us to perfect love
~
Jesus, Abundant Vine of Life, comfort and heal all
who are poor in health and spirit, and grant energy to all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in
need…
Infinite,
Abiding Lord
Guide us to perfect love
~ Jesus, Abundant Vine of Life, fill us with praise and gladness
and hope as the souls of those we love and sent ahead now live again,
sheltered in eternity by Your forever Heart. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Infinite,
Abiding Lord
Guide us to perfect love
~ Jesus, Abundant Vine
of Life, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…
Infinite,
Abiding Lord
Guide us to perfect love
~ Jesus, Abundant Vine
of Life, bless all who give their lives in service to Your Church, and walk with
us through sometimes fallow fields and barren orchards, as we seek the joy in knowing
You are with us in this brief life, and forever in the next. We pray especially
for: We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Infinite,
Abiding Lord
Guide us to perfect love
The Celebrant adds: Living God, Eternal Vinegrower, prune detachment and sin from our hearts to cultivate strong,
dynamic, and fruitful branches that flourish, not wither, as we abide always in
You. We ask this through Jesus, our True and Perfect Vine, and the Holy
Spirit, our Wisdom Guide, who together with You, live and reign as One God
forever and ever. Amen.
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