Nothing without Jesus!

John 15:1-8

"I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops. He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you. Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me.

"Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing. If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned. But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father."

Food for thought!

Did you know that Jesus called himself seven names? Did you know that these names describe who Jesus is and what he represents? Did you know that these seven names correspond to the seven miracles Jesus performed? Let's begin with the names. Jesus called himself the following:

1. I am the bread of life. John 6:35, 41, 48-51

2. I am the light of the world. John 8:12, 9:5

3. I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7, 9

4. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. John 10:11, 14

5. I am the resurrection, and the life. John 11:25

6. I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6

7. I am the true vine. John 15:1, 5

Now, the corresponding miracles performed by Jesus.

1. The multiplication of bread confirms that Jesus is the bread of life. John 6:1-13

2. Enabling a blind man to see the light confirms that Jesus is the light of the world. John 9:1-11

3. The healing of a paralyzed man by Jerusalem's Sheep Gate confirms that Jesus is the door of the sheepfold. John 5:2-9

4. Entering a room when the doors are shut (switching roles with a thief), confirms that Jesus is the door and the good shepherd who gave his life for the sheep.

5. The raising of Lazarus confirms that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. John 11:1-45

6. The healing of the nobleman's son confirms that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (While the nobleman was on his way, his servants confirmed the truth of Jesus words, "Your son will live. (John 4:46-54).

7. The water turning to wine confirms that Jesus is the True Vine. John 2:1-11

Why seven sayings of "I am" and seven miracles of Jesus? Because seven is a holy number in biblical terms. The number seven symbolizes God's perfection, His sovereignty and holiness. Some examples of seven in the Bible: God created in seven days; Jesus multiplied seven loaves and fishes; seven devils exorcised from Mary Magdalene; forgive seventy times seven, seven sacraments, etc.

All this said, today Jesus has said his last name, his last «I am». It means that Jesus is now ready to go; he has reached the end; all is perfect; he is about to say: «It is complete». He has reached number seven. He is about to give us his soul. But before he goes, he gives us a secret, his secret. Jesus Secret: "Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing." Says Jesus. Paul says the same thing in different words: "I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." (Phillipians 4:13).

Did you notice that 7 times in today's gospel Jesus uses the word «me» referring to himself? Well, because he is talking about a situation that is an absolute necessity for life and fruit bearing. Jesus is saying that the perfect way of becoming perfect in life is by abiding with him; it is by him being with us, and we being with him.

How can we stay in touch with Jesus? How can we not forget him? By having with us things that can remind us of him, like listening to Christian music or songs (Yes, buy some Gospel songs), like carrying with us a crucifix or image (by the way, we put a rosary or crucifix in the car or on our chest not so much to tell others that we are Christians, as to constantly tell ourselves that we are Christians; to remind ourselves of Christ). In other words, use anything you can to stay in touch with Jesus. «And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.» (Col. 3:17). This is the recipe for excellence in life.