The Singers of Christ Church, Oxford sing, ‘Abide with Me’.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 15:1-8

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.'

Jesus uses the image of the vine to describe himself, his relationship with God the Creator, and his living, sustaining connection with us, his disciples.

Jesus invites us to ‘abide in me as I abide in you’. Stay with these words. What does it mean for you to abide in Jesus?

Jesus also reminds us that every branch needs to be pruned to be fruitful. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what in your life may need to be cut back or let go, so that you may grow closer to God. You might like to ask for the grace to let go of something that is keeping you from bearing fruit for God.

Jesus speaks, too, of the fruit that will come by remaining in him. Where do you see signs of fruit in your life? Take a moment to give thanks for these positive signs of new life.

Now, as the scripture is read again, imagine yourself as a branch, held in Jesus, the vine. Draw life, strength and nourishment from this image.

John 15:1-8

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.'

In these final moments of peace and stillness, recognise yourself resting in Jesus the vine. With confidence and humility, ask for your heart’s desire.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen