The Hebrew Scriptures frequently speak of the people of Israel as a vine or as God’s vineyard — often producing sour grapes because of their infidelity (see Ps 80; Is 5; Jer 2:21; 12:10-11; Ez 15: 17; 19). When Jesus applies this image in this passage, he first of all is affirming that he is faithful in bearing the fruit of God’s work, in contrast to the infidelity of the Israelites. God, at last, finds true fidelity in Jesus, the true vine, a fidelity shown by obedience even up to the cross.

True followers of Jesus are attached to him just as branches to the vine — they share his life and they accomplish his work (bearing fruit). Both elements of the Christian life are essential: work depends on life, and life must overflow into action. Inactivity is a sign that there is no life, and that branch is cut away (v 6).

But even fruitful branches need to be trimmed in order to increase their yield (v 2). The suffering of the Christian life and mission is a loving act of the Father to purify those who are in Christ from the traces of sin and from deadly egotism, so that they may bear better and more abundant fruit.

The vine also recalls the eucharist, for the ultimate result is the good wine of fidelity, the fruit of "living in Jesus" (v 7), which is the intimate contact with Jesus brought about and expressed in the eucharistic sharing of communion.

This passage tells of Saul’s acceptance by the early Jerusalem community of Christians after his conversion. It also gives us a taste of the internal problems that were beginning to beset the infant Church. Fearful protectionism (v 26) would eventually lead to factions — especially between Jewish and Gentile Christians — and create serious problems for Paul later. However these rumblings do not yet seriously threaten the inner spirit of unity and the growth in faith of the Jerusalem community (v 31).

The first part of this psalm is a cry for help from the Lord’s faithful servant in deep distress — an image of Jesus on the cross. The second part, which is quoted here, praises God the deliverer. One who has experienced God’s saving works cannot keep silent, but is impelled to proclaim his praises to all. Response: "I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people."

How can we be sure that our faith is true? How can we tell if we are really pleasing God and living in his presence? All the ways of discernment boil down to one: keeping the commandment to love one another. Conscience is not merely a good feeling or an opinion about what is right. Conscience is the measure of our own attitudes and acts against the criterion of mutual love. Faith in God and love of one another are inseparable. Claiming one without living the other is phony.

1. Vatican II stated that the eucharist is the "summit" and the "source" of the Christian life. What does this mean to you?

2. What are the problems that harm our Christian communities today? What solutions does the Gospel message direct us to seek?