In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
One thing that I am not is green-fingered, I know how to mow a lawn, and how to pull up weeds, although if I’m being honest they are more likely to be flowers, and I know that roses should be pruned. I don’t know why this is the case, I just know that they grow better if they are!
In the past I have lived in places where there have been rose beds, and at this time of the year we would usually start the task of cleaning the rose bed up and getting rid of the numerous weeds that have sprung up, but one year we decided that we were going to cover the rose bed in a membrane and then put wood chippings on top, the plan seemed to have worked as the year after we could already see that there was very little weeding to do, just the few seeds the birds have dropped which were easily plucked up.
In many ways it seems an extreme way of nurturing growth, but we only had to see the results to know that it worked, and that through our efforts we have removed any obstacles that may have been encountered and had enabled the roses to reach their full potential and beauty.
Our gospel this morning also has a very horticultural feel to it, but instead of it being about the growth of plants, it speaks of the growth that we can experience in our own lives, and the dangers that we face.
In essence it’s a chance for each of us to look at ourselves, and do that which we don’t like to do, ask the difficult question of whether our spiritual walk is all it should be, are we failing, are we injuring others spiritual lives, and what do we need to do, or stop doing so that we can work towards reaching our full potential?
It is as it were an opportunity to do a spiritual health check, and look deep within, even though as we figuratively look in the mirror we may not like or recognise the reflection looking back at us
Jesus uses the analogy of a vine to give us the opportunity to think about who we are, and gives us the example of three types of branches, the withered, the pruned, and the fruit bearer. We know that the vine, Jesus, is strong and capable of sustaining and nurturing all the branches. But to receive this nourishment, then we need to be not just attached to the vine, we also need to be connected to it. In other words, to be connected means that each one of us needs to make a choice as to how we live in relationship with God and our sisters and brothers in faith.
The withered branch is the one in the most danger, this is the person who has lost or is losing the fire of the spirit in their lives, they have become focussed on the temporary and have become solely of this world, looking to their own self-interests, to them their faith is now of little or no importance.
Something may have happened in their life and instead of focussing on Christ and looking for his help and guidance, they have become apathetic, perhaps bitter and resentful; they enjoy nothing more than dragging other people down, inflicting hurt through malice and lies, and are at the core of gossip.
They may still go through the motions in prayer, will try to justify their actions, and perhaps do things because they feel that they should, but essentially, they have lost their way and don’t know how to stop.
The pruned branch is full of hopefulness; Just as with the roses in our garden, when Mikki and I watched on as the new shoots appeared, in anticipation of what was to come, this person is being prepared by God for the next part of their Christian journey.
For the people who are like these branches, God is preparing them, for what is to come, and while is it may at this moment in time be painful, as they are tested, others who don’t understand may try to attack them to take them away from their journey.
It can feel difficult, and at times overbearing, but through these challenges, God has his hand on their lives, He is preparing and guiding them for what is to come, the opportunity to grow, mature and reach their full potential.
The final one, the fruit bearing branch is the person who has gone through the pruning process and has been able to grow and flourish in their Christian life, they are faithful in serving God, they are being nourished by the word and sacrament, faithful in their devotion to God and they have a desire to show His image in and through their lives.
We are all on this journey, and we need to remember that each branch whether ailing or flourishing isn’t separate from the whole, as we are all connected through Christ.
In the middle of the gospel it says ‘abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.’
As much as God will nurture us, it must begin with us, we have to be prepared and willing to accept it, we need to allow ourselves to abide in Him, so that we can be fruitful. Even if today we see ourselves as the withered branch, there is still time, but that must be a free personal choice for each of us whether we allow God to bring the shears, to allow that work of revitalisation and growth within our lives, and come into that deeper loving embrace of God.
Whilst it may feel that the most work must be done for the withered branches, it is also just as important for the other two branches to stay connected, to let the good works that have been begun in them to continue grow and develop, while at the same time to continue to let go of the negative and allow God to move in their lives.
Deep down I am sure that each and every one of us has a desire to be the best that we can, some will be further along the journey than others, but this isn’t a race, and the only result that we should seek is a personal one ,in that we have resolved to do away with our past wrongs, and to seek Gods wisdom and guidance so that at the end of our days we will be welcomed into the outstretched arms of our father in the eternal kingdom.
But how do any of us accomplish this and ensure that we remain strong and nourished? We renew and recharge ourselves through our worship, we let the liturgy as God’s love language to us flow over us, and fill us with the words that bring us a deeper understanding of His light and grace.
We remain fervent in our prayers, and when we find they are becoming stale, we shake them up a bit, and try something new, perhaps by simply spending time in His presence and allowing Him speak to us.
We gather with new perspective and wonder as we receive the sacrament, almost as if it were the very first time, we give thanks for the way in which the body and blood that has been broken and shed, has been offered for each of us as our spiritual sustenance, to renew and sustain our souls.
We strive to use all of our gifts and talents to build up and encourage; we also challenge things that have gone wrong, those who would damage the body, as well as any stagnant thinking, so that we be community thirsty to do His will.
We demonstrate through our actions that we are willing and eager to help others in and outside of our walls to see that they have gifts and gently support each other with encouragement so that everyone has the opportunity to take their light from under the bushel and let it shine brightly.
But most of all we give thanks, thanks that Christ is the true vine, the one who we can abide in, and grow to the fullness of our potential.
All of this potential is ours, if we are prepared and willing to ask God to guide us, but the first step for each of us today is to look deep within ourselves and honestly ask, which branch am I currently, and is this really where I want to be?
Once we each know the answer to that question in our own heart and soul, then the rest by the grace of God is up to you.
Amen.
