Blood Vessels

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. 

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." (John 15:1-8)

There are few better ways to describe what we are to be as followers of Jesus our Christ.  I think of a vine with many branches as our body with its myriad of blood vessels carrying nutrients throughout the body; enabling the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through our lungs; and the elimination of wastes from our bodies with the assistance of our digestive system and kidneys.  Since we are the Body of Christ, we perform those functions as his branches – his capillaries where all the exchanges take place and where all the “goods” are finally delivered to their destinations.  

We are to be life-giving by giving oxygen (care and compassion) to those with troubled breathing.  We remove the carbon dioxide (fear) through our love and understanding.  For those who feel “wasted” we accompany them in their struggles whether emotional or physical.  

We provide the nutrients of faith and hope through our Church and steadfast following of Jesus, our Christ.  This faith and hope lead to salvation.

When we cut off that which those near and far need to live a life of happiness – our love and support – we throw them out, and they wither.  So do we.  

Deacon David Pierce