Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and you are the branches. Remain in me if you want to bear fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” The Gospel passage for today is part of what has generally come to be known as the discourse on the vine and its branches. It is a teaching on the union of Jesus with his disciples and comes to us as among the farewell talks given by Jesus as he neared his passion. This “talk” about the union that ought to characterize the relationship that exists between Jesus and his disciples was probably meant to remind the disciples about their identity. The disciples were not mere followers of Jesus. They had committed to him and had thus become an important part of both his life and mission.
Jesus likened the relationship that existed between him and his disciples to that of a vine and its branches. It was a depiction that not only pointed to the personal and intimate nature of the relationship but also to the union that resulted from the relationship. The disciples were “members” of the person of Jesus. As members of his “body,” the disciples derived their existence from Jesus. Consequently, only by remaining attached to Jesus could the disciples retain their relevancy to the mission of Jesus.
Like the initial community of disciples, we have also received from Jesus the mandate to keep the mission afloat, on course, and relevant. Through our baptism, we have been incorporated into the person of Jesus and have become members of his body. The mandate which we received at baptism of preaching the good news to the ends of the earth can only get to be successful if we retain our membership in the body of Christ. Jesus is not only the head of the mission (cf. Colossians 1:18), but he is also its mainstay. It is from him that the members of his body draw their strength and life-line.