Cutting and Pruning

Homily for Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter

This Gospel passage was just read on Sunday. As so frequently happens during the Easter Season when the Gospel of John is read on both Sundays and weekdays, we get to revisit these verses which are peppered with the word “love” five times and the word “joy” twice. We are also admonished to “remain” or “abide” in the love of Jesus three times.

While the sentiments of love and joy are welcome in our lives at any time, perhaps John is adding them here to offset our concern about the notion of cutting off dead branches and pruning healthy or clean branches. Cutting and pruning are difficult tasks both literally and figuratively.

At my family Zoom meeting this past Sunday, my brother told us of the loss of a large tree in the back yard of his home. He had been advised several times that he should think of taking down the tree, but like so many of us, he was loath to do so. Trees offer us shade and beauty and comfort as they stand like sentinels around our homes. However, one windy day last week, his wife was sitting beneath the tree and heard a cracking noise. She narrowly escaped a falling branch that could have caused serious injury. They called someone to come and take down the tree immediately. The incident reminded me of the Gospel just proclaimed that morning. God cuts away the dead branches. My brother and his wife enjoy sitting around a camp fire. They now have a new supply of fire wood.

God prunes and cuts to help the vine grow more fruit. Pruning and cutting away the dead branches is something in which we all need to engage. This lesson can cause pain and discomfort, but it is a necessary part of every spiritual life. Call it what you will – conversion, repentance, metanoia – though it may cause temporary pain, it will bring joy as we remain in God’s loving embrace.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator