|
"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."
Those of us who live in the western world influenced by the Enlightenment and democracy don't like the word "obligation." After all, we are free people answerable only to ourselves. No one can tell us what to do.
While this might be true from the standpoint of a citizen of a nation, culture or kingdom, such is not the case for disciples of Jesus. Discipleship brings with it much joy, peace and comfort. But it also brings obligations for which Jesus gives no compromise. If we are to be true to the label, "disciple," then we are obligated to bear fruit.
By definition, disciples are students; thus we are students of Jesus. We learn from our Teacher the Gospel, the Good News, and are obligated to live this out in our own lives thus "bearing fruit." If our lives don't bear fruit, then our label is nothing more than a misidentifying name tag.
Jesus is also clear about to whom he is speaking. The Greek word ὑμεῖς (hooMAIS) means "Y'all." He is speaking to all of us as his disciples. Together as a body of disciples, as the Body of Christ are called to bear much fruit by being a community which lives the Gospel as well as talks about it. By being a safe place for everybody no matter who/what/why they are, we fulfill our obligation to our Teacher.
However, this obligation is not met in a vacuum. Our fellowship, our friendships, the Sacraments, and our lives of prayer assist us in meeting this obligation, an obligation that leads us to true freedom. Through the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, we willingly embrace our obligation as disciples to love as we are loved in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
| 
