Christ, the True Vine

If we really believe what the culture claims religion is, then we have already lost.

Christ the Vine and Us the Branches

From where do the branches receive their life? They receive nutrients water sustenance antibodies and the ability to bear fruit from the vine. So also we depend on Christ for the fruit of our labor the planting of farmers would not be in vain and that we may not encounter misfortune which is impossible for us to endure. Just as the branches receive life and goodness from the true vine. So also we receive Our life from Christ. All we have is a gift from him and this way it’s important to be a good steward of all you have. It’s also important to realize that nothing can be done by the branches without the vine. To aspire to high and good goals is not a bad thing however when we go about them by her selves often becomes impossible.

Not too long ago, the words of our Lord saying “I am the true vine“ came forth in my mind. It resonates as a response to my having missed two holy hours, as an encouragement to make them regardless of other qualities of life.

This quote is a corollary of stewardship. This stewardship is in regards most of the creation of God which is yourself and those who encounter you. A while back I had a dream that I was helping my dying uncle breeze using a syringe to force air through a ventilating mask. In light of the true vine parable, One may see that though he was not directly drawing from the relationship with the Lord but was indirectly drawing upon the fruits of my relationship with God. And this way not all branches are I will add this later. Soon we separate ourselves from the True vine. Many know not how to join themselves back to the "Jesse Stem"[1], often God will extend the branches to reach them. By our relationship with Christ, he brings us to bear fruit, not often in ourselves, but often in others even our most hidden sins which we excuse by their hidden to us, do indeed hurt others. How exactly does this happen? Well there are some who encounter you who depend on your relationship with God to receive some spiritual nourishment. They are not always cognizant of it but they truly draw life from your relationship with God. In this way we see one of the ways in which we live out the saying of Jesus quote that there is no greater love than to die for one’s friends“. Similarly, when we realize that this is also related to dying in small ways to the will of God in denying oneself. “He who holds onto his own life will lose it, but he who loses his life for the sake of Christ shall save it". From God, comes our truest self, the self the does not seek to write its own way or work against one's own good but one of harmony, unity, and love. We must constantly recommit ourselves to this end and this can only be done through frequent confession  i.e. constantly regrafting oneselve onto the fine because it is clear we are disposed to in our sinfulness to remain grafted. Grace is meant to combat this and assist us in remaining so grafted. Thus, grace is a force of restoration and sin of degradation, because God is helping us be who we are created to be.

Trying to Do Things "without" Christ

It may go without saying because Christ Himself says, “without Me, you can do nothing”. As we ruminate on this we find ourselves questioning the distribution of terms in this statement. “Surely there must be something?” But it is when we realize that we depend on God for things we lose comprehension of. All that exists does so in the measure God wills it to exist, for He is existence itself (Ipsum Esse). Every breath we draw is willed by God. “He who abides in me, and I in him, it is he who bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Although one must realize that, just as there are seasons in nature there are also seasons in spiritual life. There will be times in which more fruit is born than others. This may be caused by many things and even in combinations. Some of these causes of change are graces lived out well or poorly. If one is maintaining a state of grace, it is often God, and/or you may not know the fruit is born. However, this is just the material perspective but what about the anagogic sense. “To where will we go” for “salvation comes from no other name”. What is conversion, in the most strict sense of the word, then this unitive way? This way of Christ uniting Himself to us in nearly every aspect of His life and humanity and we to Him through the sacraments, prayer, and living out the beatitudes. In these ways we unite ourselves more securely, giving us a disposition of openness that we may receive the life/gifts which come through Christ, the True Vine. "It is not I who live but Christ."

Two poor attempts at this we see two examples in the Gospel. One of them more than the other. The latter I would say is Martha, and the former is the older brother of the prodigal son. 

In the case of Martha, we find her desiring the greatest possible task to serve God-made flesh, present not just in "spirit and truth", but in human vesture; and to do it well. It is clear in this passage that Christ wants us to love him and be with him. In Martha's case, we notice she is trying to make everything perfect and is desiring a good thing. However, in her service, she somewhat forsakes his company, not in real authentic dialogue with Him. Whereas Mary is attentive to the person, instead of giving much. Mary of Magdala sits at the feet of the Christ, receiving His loving gaze and offering every moment with Him for the good of the world. 

Every Baptized Christian is called to be contemplative. According to Thomas Merton, to be contemplative is to find the place within which God is recreating you and every moment.

Truly, You are my vine,
Sweet and life-giving is Your wine.
The loss of Thee
is the loss of Me.

Who shall I make myself?
Will I not lose this "self"?
Shall not I receive this from You,
Thou who art the vine of life true?

I choose what to lose if seek to preserve it,
If I receive it from You, I shall own it.
You the Author of life, who art Love and Goodness itself,
why shall I not receive all from you? Everything does anyway!