today's readings are Acts 9: 26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3: 18-24 and John 15: 1-8
In our high-tech global environment, many of us have smartphones, tablets, as well as laptops and desktop computers for personal and professional use. Some people spend a lot of time messaging, browsing, friending, tweeting and sharing. Many are involved in such sites as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Recent studies indicate, however, that as we grow more savvy with technology and become more connected to one another within and throughout cyberspace, we are, paradoxically, growing more distant from one another. Cyberspace relationships do not always allow us to detect tone in conversations, and online contacts often fall short on empathy. Social media stickers and emojis are no replacements for a handshake, a face-to-face smile and a needed hug. And if we have learned anything in this pandemic is it how much missed our hugs. So many people, especially those who are grandparents, have mentioned that. Yes, we are better connected from a technology perspective, but in so many ways we are worse off from a personal and relational perspective.
Today’s gospel speaks of the experience of truly being “in relationship” with God the Father, with Jesus and with one another. Jesus uses what is found in a vineyard to describe this relationship. First, there is the vine grower – God the Father – then there is the vine – Jesus - and finally, the branches – which are us. And Jesus reminds us branches that we must abide in the vine – Jesus – if we are going to produce fruit – and this fruit is not grapes – but the good things we do and say as Christians. And woe to us if we think we can do this without him – as he says, “apart from me you can do nothing”. Now while each one of us is dependent on the Lord to live lives of faith and good deeds and action – we are also dependent on one another. For what truly glorifies God the Father? When we branches – not just my branch or your branch – when we branches bear much fruit and in so doing become Jesus’ disciples.
As people of faith we need God the Father – we need Jesus Christ the Son – and to help make it all happen, we need the Holy Spirit – but we also need each other to grow and bear fruit, fruit that will bring glory to God and benefit all. We are in this together.
Pope Francis likes to say that there are 2 things you can’t do alone – You can’t get married alone – and you can’t be a Christian alone. For we need other people to be a Christian.
We need each other. We need others for support, for guidance, to challenge us, to teach us, to encourage us, to pray for us and to worship with us. We need each other. As we hear in Hebrews, chapter 10, And let us consider how we may spur one another on forward with love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
There is a story told of a very wise man, Uncle Zeke, who lived out in the country. Zeke was well known for his down-home wisdom and deep Christian faith. One day a young man, on a cold dreary November day, went out to see Uncle Zeke. When he got there, Zeke invited him in and sat him down beside a roaring wood fire. Then the young man shared his story. He spoke of how had been so strong in his faith but now it seemed to be fading away. He said of how lost he felt now in his life – it seemed to have no direction. Uncle Zeke asked him why he thought this had happened. The young man wondered if that he had stopped going to church and meeting with his friends there was the cause. Uncle Zeke nodded his head and said in response, “Watch this”. Zeke got up and silently walked over to the fire. He took a pair of tongs and reached into the fire and picked out a red-hot coal. He then placed the red hot coal onto the stone hearth and the two of them watched. Very quickly that red hot coal began to lose its colour and became a greyish – black. Zeke then waited another minute and then picked up that coal with his bare hand. He then showed it to the young man and then tossed it back into the fire. Quickly the coal became red hot again. The young man stood up, and with a smile on his face, said, ”I understand”. The message was clear. You cannot be a Christian alone.
Each one of us are on a marvelous journey of faith. And to take that journey we are going to need God – and Jesus – and the Holy Spirit. But we are going to also need each other. To gather together, to grow together, to pray together, and to worship at Sunday mass together – and at this time, and in this time of pandemic come to communion services together and participate in our online FORMED courses. Pope Francis is right. You cannot be a Christian alone.