Abiding in Christ

Abide in me. ~John 15:4

Ave Maria! As we know, Pope Benedict XVI is in Germany through Sunday on an official state visit. Yesterday he celebrated Mass in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. In his homily, which can be found here, he reflected upon the parable of the vine and the branches (Jn 15:1-9). Recalling our Lord's words "Without me you can do nothing" (v5), he stressed how crucial it is for us to abide in Christ, to remain with Him. "Every one of us is faced with this choice" of abiding in Christ or setting ourselves apart from Him, the Holy Father said, adding that "The Lord reminds us how much is at stake as he continues his parable: 'If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned' (Jn 15:6). The decision that is required of us here makes us keenly aware of the existential significance of our life choices."

To chose the vine life -- that is, life in Christ -- is to truly live. As St. Paul proclaimed (Phil 1:21), "For me to live is Christ!" Our Lord Jesus came that we might have life to the full (Jn 10:10), and His abundant life is all ours for the choosing and the abiding. If we have any doubts about the wisdom and rightness of the vine life, we need only reflect upon these further words from the Holy Father's homily.

"…the image of the vine is a sign of hope and confidence. Christ himself came into this world through his incarnation, to be our root. Whatever hardship or drought befall us, he is the source that offers us the water of life, that feeds and strengthens us. He takes upon himself all our sins, anxieties and sufferings and he purifies and transforms us, in a way that is ultimately mysterious, into good wine. In such times of hardship we can sometimes feel as if we ourselves were in the wine-press, like grapes being utterly crushed. But we know that if we are joined to Christ we become mature wine. God can transform into love even the burdensome and oppressive aspects of our lives. It is important that we 'abide' in Christ, in the vine. The evangelist uses the word 'abide' a dozen times in this brief passage. This 'abiding in Christ' characterizes the whole of the parable. In our era of restlessness and lack of commitment, when so many people lose their way and their grounding, when loving fidelity in marriage and friendship has become so fragile and short-lived, when in our need we cry out like the disciples on the road to Emmaus: 'Lord, stay with us, for it is almost evening and darkness is all around us!' (cf. Lk 24:29), then the risen Lord gives us a place of refuge, a place of light, hope and confidence, a place of rest and security. When drought and death loom over the branches, then future, life and joy are to be found in Christ."

Thank you, dear Lord, for Your abundant life.  May my greatest joy be to abide in You, now and forever.  Amen.