Reflection - 68

A few years ago an auction of old house hold articles was in progress in London city square. The crowd enthusiastically bid for all articles they thought were valuable for them. Finally that auctioneer picked up a dusty, old violin in his hand and started with a mere one pound. The crowd did not seem enthusiastic about the old violin and so the bidding did not progress. Then an old man from the crowd raised his hand, asked violin to be inspected. He dusted it, tuned the strings, adjusted the pegs, took the bow and played a sweet melody on the old violin. The crowed was fascinated by the captivating music and their fascination grew into frenzy and a craze. Everyone now wanted to posses the violin; and the bidding began once again finally the old violin fetched a very high price. The touch of the master made all the difference or the collectiveness of the violin to its master produced fruits. Gospel of St John chapter 15 verse 5 says “I am the vine. You are the branches those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” Our life is same like the old violin we just remain priceless apart from the master or the touch of the master makes a great change in our life and our lives will become fruitful with his touch. What kind of fruit is that being expected from us? How can it be accomplished? The answer we can see in the same chapter verse 10. The only way to accomplish something that which is expected of us is to follow his commandments and thus to abide in his love. What are the fruitfulness of this union?

First it creates a growth within. Which means as the branches which abide with the vine grow, we too grow with the vine on which we abide with. The providence in God helps the believer to deepen his piety, to strengthen his soul, to beautify his character, to mature and ripen his graces, and to have a stronger grip upon his God. As seminarians let us reflect do we grow in Christ? Do we really abide with the vine with whom we are expected to be abide with?

Secondly, it provides us with a kind of expansion. As the branches spread to various deviations and directions, so too we the believers who abide with the vine will be able to reach to different places with the essence of the vine. It will gradually help us in acquiring souls for the vine who is the ultimate. Looking into our life let us reflect do I give Jesus to the ones whom I interact with? With whom do I spend time?

Thirdly, it helps us to bear much fruit in our life. Vine which has got its root on the earth provides everything to the branches. A branch will not be able to produce fruit if it is separated from the vine. Our case also is the same that we will not be able to produce good fruits unless we find our base in God. All our endeavors will be futile if it is apart from the vine.

So dear friends let us try to cherish our union with the God in every moment of our life. This union will help us to bear much fruit and to become fruitful for the well being of the others. Let us make all our daily pious practices as an occasion to reach to this ultimate union and let this help us to say confidently along with St Theresa of Avila “Christ has no body now but mine. He prays in me, works in me, looks through my words, work through my hands walks with my feet and loves with my heat.”

Bro. Naveen Varghese