Easter 5 (year B)- John 15:1-8 - The Vine and the Branches

This Sunday's Gospel from John 15: 1-8 is one of numerous passages in John where Jesus speaks of His identity. These passages all contain the words "I am," words which recall God's revelation to Moses in Exodus 3. In John 15:1, our Lord says, "I am the true vine." In Scripture, the vine or the vineyard are common symbols for Israel or God's people. So Jesus is the fulfillment or true embodiment of Israel. He is the only one who truly and fully carries out God's intentions for humanity.

This identification of Christ is basic, but  the passage goes further. In addition to telling us about Jesus, it also tells us about His disciples or followers. In John 15: 5, He adds, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." The followers of Jesus must abide or remain connected with Him as living branches connected with the vine. This connection is the only way that we remain spiritually alive and produce truly good fruit. Without this faithful and living connection to His saving grace, we can do nothing. Disconnected from Christ, our souls wither and die. Attached to Him in faith, His risen life flows through us and produces good spiritual and moral fruit.

Third Sunday of Easter (year B)- Luke 24:36-49

During the Easter season, we continue to focus on the appearances of the risen Christ to His followers. The Gospel for this Sunday is from Luke 24:36-49. This passage highlights two points about Christ's resurrection. It shows that 1) Jesus' resurrection has physical or bodily characteristics, and 2) His resurrection is the fulfillment of all Scripture.

First, many people in the first century and since have not appreciated the unique character of Jesus' resurrection. Many people have merely viewed Christ's resurrection as a vague affirmation of a spiritual survival of death. Some have viewed it as a vision or even a hallucination. However, the New Testament accounts deny such banal understandings of the Resurrection. Although Jesus' physical nature has certainly been transformed (for example, space and time no longer limit His movements as before), the risen Jesus still has a tangible body. He walks and talks. He bears marks of the crucifixion. He can be touched. He can eat and drink. During the 40 days till the Ascension, Christ is physically present with His followers in real ways. His Resurrection is both a transformation of and a continuation of His Incarnation!

Secondly, Jesus uses the days of Easter to complete and deepen the instruction of His followers in the meaning of Scripture. He re-emphasizes some of the teachings that the disciples never seemed to understand before. During the days after His resurrection, He prepares them for lasting faith and mission. In particular, Jesus interprets the whole biblical message in light of His life, death, and resurrection. The risen Christ helps His followers see that He is the eternal Word at the heart of all Holy Scripture. He is the One whose death and resurrection give all divine revelation its ultimate and abiding significance! Jesus Christ is the Gospel, the Good News, personified!