Before and After

We've all seen pictures of before and after processes. Usually they promise much more than reality will ever produce. But they do draw folks in!!!! They do generate a hope for transformation.

Still, I so often hear people respond to this week's gospel lesson with confession of their resistance to the divine pruning process. Some aspect of our life may be running a bit wild...off course. We may be weighed down by all sorts of extra burdens both tangible and intangible...in the same way that the overweight figure in the picture has accumulated extra pounds.

In Wisdom, God knows that we must be brought back to the root of life and truth.


John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.
He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.

You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.


Rooted in Him, our chosen path not only leads US to God's abundant life of love but it also generates "fruit" for the good of others.




Browse through the following pictures...the divine before and after process!




It sometimes is painful...and even seems unfair when I am "pruned back" ... after all, I have some activities or hopes or dreams that are precious to me. I thought I was on a roll!



But when I trust...and wait...and see...I can begin to grow in a different direction ... with new ideas and hopes that are given to me when I stay close to the True Vine...my creator and redeemer!





The fruits of faith, hope and love that emerge are not mine to withold. They runover in marvellous ways from my particular life into the world for the good of others.