5th Sunday of Easter

In the gospel of John we hear Jesus speak of himself using a number of images. This may be contrasted with the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) where he refers predominantly to himself as the "Son of Man." The seven images in John give a rich tapestry that communicates not only who Jesus is but also his relationship with the Church. He is: the true vine; the bread of life; the way, the truth and the life; the light of the world; the resurrection and the life; the gate; the good shepherd. Each of these also speaks something of Jesus' divine nature since the tetragrammaton YHWH, the sacred unpronounceable name of God, can be translated as "I am." This is why the Jewish leaders try to stone Jesus when he tells them: "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am." (Jn 8: 38) Today the image is extended to the followers of Jesus: "I am the vine, you are the branches." (Jn 15: 5) In Hawkes Bay we are familiar with the pruning of the vines. Cut from the vine the branches wilt and die almost immediately unless they can be grafted back onto the vine. Likewise, our faith will die if it is not receiving life from tradition, Scripture and prayer. The primitive Church was aware of this as: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers." (Acts 2: 42)