The True Branches

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 3, 2015

John 15:1-8

“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing (John 15:5).”

Jesus is the true wine and we are His branches. Like the image of the Good Shepherd, the true vine also speaks of His relationship with us, His disciples. In fact, this relation is a very intimate and vital one. He is the source of our lives, He sustains our growth and He assures our fruitfulness. The moment we cut ourselves from Him, we slowly yet surely wither, become dead twigs, and we are good for the fire.

The truth Jesus teaches us today is indeed basic in our concrete life situations. Why do the couple have to go to the Church and be blessed for their marriage? The answer goes back to this image of the true vine and its branches. When we enter into marriage and family life, we do not simply put up a human institution, but we participate His divine plan. Bishop Fulton Sheen once said, “Marriage is not hard, it is just humanly impossible!” Indeed it is nearly possible for us to be faithful until ‘death do us part’. It is totally back-breaking to raise our children until they are able to stand on their feet. A lot problems, from financial to health issue, will rock the marriage and family along the way. Thus, only the true vine can make our marriage and family possible and even fruitful. Bishop Sheen continued, “In all human love it must be realized that every man promises a woman, and every woman promises a man that which only God alone can give, namely, perfect happiness.”

The same thing is also true for those who are dedicated their lives in the service of the people of God. The moment a priest is ordained, he becomes a priest forever, and forever, he is to serve all the faithful. It also goes for us, religious men and women. When I professed my final vows in 2013, I promised that I would be obedient, neither for one year nor as long as I am happy in the Order, but until death.  Doubtless, it is extremely difficult. Being misunderstood by our friends, misjudged by the people we serve, and misinterpreted by our own brothers or sisters in the community, are our daily tears. Yet, despite all of this, we are expected to persevere until the end. Again, if it is only about our own strength, it is nothing but exercise of futility. This is why in my profession rite, I was asked, “What do you seek?” I prostrated and said, “God’s mercy and yours.” Only God’s mercy makes our lives possible and fruitful.

When Jesus told us that He is the vine and we are His branches, it simply means apart from Him, we are nothing. He provides what are fundamentally lacking in us: strength, meaning and happiness. Thus, we must realize that our going to the Church every Sunday is not merely obligation, but it is a way to reconnect with the source. Praying rosary every day is not about old family tradition, but a way to find meanings in the Mysteries of Christ. Then, the questions for us: What are the point of going to the Church? Have we spent a little time with Him today? Have we looked at the crucified Lord and said, “Lord, I need you.”?

Brother Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP