THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and I appointed you to go and bear (much) fruit!”
Today might be called “a perfect storm” sermon Sunday: It’s Mother’s Day; Sunday School Attendance Awards; Teachers’ Appreciation Sunday; and the Cornerstone Gospel of The Vine and the Branches. I could never have imagined what a wonderful opportunity today would be! Thank you Lord for my new time & space and renewal!
In the ancient Hebrew Scriptures, (the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah and the Psalms) Israel was believed to be “the vine” & The Lord was “the vine keeper.” But, in John chapter 15, Jesus changed the image and told his disciples: “I Am the True Vine, My Father is the vinedresser, and you are the branches”! Other ideas then come: As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in My love: You are my friends (not servants) when you remain in me and I in you – if you bear much fruit – as you love one another as I have loved you. Finally, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and then I appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last!”
I selected this final theme (chosen) as my sermon “main idea”! Here’s one common thread which can bind us together in our actions, celebrations, teachings and our Eucharist this morning. Now, we can be reunited again As One in all of our lives and inner selves together into The Living Body (The Vine) of Christ! Of course, please do remember that none of this is “new” news, but it is all still very Good News! We are all chosen by God (perhaps with a little chance or luck), but fundamentally by God!
Let’s begin with moms. Most (sadly, not all) of us were blessed with “Angel Moms” as the classic children’s story says. We didn’t choose her nor she us. God made us and appointed them to take care of and watch over us. Certainly that’s how my mom was with me, even in times when I was a real “handful”, but she never gave up nor quit. She was always there for me! In my family, Molly (like so many) has been an incredible mom for our three children and now an unbelievable grand-mom for our six grandkids. And then today, what about these students who will receive their awards now and all the teachers who so unselfishly gave and loved and taught “their kids ” week in and week out (many, for year after year)? God chose you all; some [students and teachers] at first didn’t even want to do it. But, Our Lord worked and worked and you [the teachers and students] “All toiled and fought and lived and died for The Lord [and other children and youth and/or teachers ] you loved and knew”… Hymn #293.
What about The Church of the Redeemer? A long time ago, God chose to make this church very special and unusually strong. It has always been so! God made this place: He poured His Grace and Love and Spirit into this community and then He appointed Redeemer to go and bear much fruit, and so it has in spades! God chose Your Rector. You may have thought that you and he really chose one another. That’s partly true, but the real truth is that God chose him for you and then all of you for him. And, what about all the Redeemer Saints? There are so, so many now; close to two thousand! They come in all shapes and sizes, all ages, with many different likes and dislikes and theologies and politics, and different gifts, talents and now even languages! Still, they all do come, united in Christ their Vine. Their strength comes from Him and they love God and one another too! And then they become friends! This is a true Community of Faith which is known far and wide for its vitality and faith, its liturgy and its music, its education & mission for all ages, and its work with the poor in Sarasota and beyond!
So what might we say about our own lives? God chooses us so many times, often totally unexpectedly, and then sometimes puts “a belt around us” and leads us to walk with Him to places where we do not even want to go! John 21.18. Of course, we all have times of selection and times of waiting! In my own life, all of the really important things just happened. I was sort of clueless. I certainly did not plan them nor always even choose them. But, God had His plan! For example, I certainly never planned all of my years of ministry, nor our marriage and family, nor even moving to Sarasota and then becoming so involved in Redeemer. It just all happened and I have to believe that God just chose it and made it all occur! Hasn’t it really been like that in many and much of your own lives? Did you plan it all out or did many of the things just happen?
The Gospel of John’s Vision for the Church is rooted in the inter-connectedness of The Vine and the Vinedresser and the Branches. It is also one which is militant in its faith and commitment to God and to one another. After all is said and done, it is ever faithful to the end in its steadfast heart and life. The Life of Redeemer Church, in its finest hours, is not about its excellence or size; not about programmatic approaches nor even liturgical forms. It is instead fundamentally about the essence of its faith and our hearts, and both our individual and corporate lives! When you and I can live out our lives connected to the Vine of Christ, our separation from God and one another begins to disappear. All our fears and inadequacies start to fall away and new strength from God and caring for one another reappears. The defensiveness and divisions which can run rampant in our churches begin to pass away and we can refocus again on our friendship with God and one other! And let us always remember, as “The Good Book” says, the more we give, the more we shall always receive in return!
Today is a “perfect storm” preacher’s Sunday: It’s Mothers’ Day; Sunday School Student Awards; Teacher Appreciation Sunday; the Gospel Day for “The Vine and The Branches”. Let us rejoice and be glad in it, and in Jesus Christ, once more! AMEN, AMEN.