Perhaps there are some of us who have never seen a vine but what Jesus says about the vine - a plant very common in Palestine - can be said about any fruit-bearing tree that we are familiar with and the message is clear. Jesus is explaining to us what our relationship with Him can be like and indeed should be like. He compares Himself to a tree, basically to the trunk of the tree. The cultivator of the tree, the one who gives it life is the Father, God. We, Jesus' disciples, are the branches. It is the branches which bear the fruit.

If a branch does not bear fruit, it is simply cut off. It is no good; it is just draining life from the trunk without giving anything in return. It is very easy for us to be that kind of Christian. We come to church in search of "handouts" but give very little back to the community. But, even the branches which do bear fruit, are pruned, have parts cut off, so that they will bear even more. Those who cultivate fruit trees or roses are familiar with this process and know how important it is.

It is clear from what Jesus says that only those branches which are connected to the trunk can bear fruit. Without fruit we are dead branches but, on the other hand, the fruit is not just of our own making. It is the sign that Christ is working in us and through us.