May 6, 2026

John 15:1-8

Today’s Gospel reading presents us with a beautiful image.  Jesus says that he is the stalk of a vine, probably a grape vine, and we are the branches attached to the vine. As long as we remain connected to him, the main stalk, we remain vital and spiritually alive, and thus we are able to bear fruit. Here fruit means we can bring love and auspicious results for those around us and for ourselves. But if we become disconnected from our spiritual source, then we run the risk of becoming dead branches, unable to help ourselves or others.

Vines are a fitting symbol of how love and solidarity can resist evil in society. Vines can climb tall trees and scale seemingly insurmountable walls. Vines find tiny chinks to sneak through, reaching through impenetrable obstacles. They can spread everywhere, staying connected, and they always grow towards the light.

Vines also become more resilient the longer they grow. At first the branches are tender young shoots, vulnerable to attacks. But as they continue on their growth, they develop scaly bark and come tougher. Then it is hard for their branches to be cut from the stalk. This means our efforts to spread acts of love, solidarity, and kindness become more resilient as we continue on.

This metaphor shows how love and solidarity can spread throughout society. This is the spiritual resistance. Even small acts of kindness add to the momentum, resisting those who would do evil for personal gain.

When people love, help, and comfort one another, whether as partners, family, spouses, friends, neighbors, or in outreach to the vulnerable, this love helps God’s work in the world. We might say we help Jesus in his work of love; when we comfort someone, we might say a bit jokingly that it’s one less thing for him to do. And Jesus wraps the beloveds in swathes of love, binding them together with protecting love.

Amen.