Excerpt from John 15:1-12

"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….My Parent is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples...This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell

"You are the branches, and I the vine,"
says Christ to them who'd be free.
Give over your life for those you love,
and you find new life in me.

"Lay down your time, your heart, your hands,
for the ones I came to save.
Love deep, love deep, be grafted on,
Be branch of God, not slave.

"Not slave to work, not slave to self,
not slave to wealth or fear,
But free, strong branch of the Vine divine
the Creator God drawn near."


Now,
grim, pinched folks there are out there
who say that service should be
handouts given by well-heeled ones
to those in poverty.

Or that it should be for perfect ones,
ashamed of their own blessedness,
to offer their care and provide their support,
to those who're completely a mess.

They never would say it, but always imply it,
that the servant's above the one served,
whole-er and holier, better, together-er,
more perfect, which they think they deserve.

They help because one should help, not out of hope
of transforming, or for anything new.
And the fruit that appears is withered and sere,
and tastes nothing of sweetness or dew.

No joy they find, nor none expect,
by guilt and "shoulds" enthralled.
And their service, which may help the served,
helps the servants not at all.

Christ does say to serve because it's right;
That's clear enough; it's true.
But the primary reason for caring for others,
is so Christ might transform you.

So, let those who never met our God
Serve altruistically.
We serve 'cause it feels good, and Christ,
says that's how it should be.

We know that we're all of us broken and bruised.
Still, God's own branches all,
sometimes able, often not
all a mess, all called.

All called to find that on Christ's vine,
at least as often as not,
the servant's the one who, by the service,
unexpectedly transformed got.

"You are the branches, and I the vine,"
said Christ unto his kin.
"Abide in me, let me in you,
and rich fruit you will win."

So may the blessing of God be on
you, served and servants each,
and may joy, may joy, may joy, Christ's fruit,
be ever in your reach.

Love deep, love deep,
as you've been loved,
and the Vine sprouts new again,

Love deep, love deep,
as you've been loved.
Amen, amen, amen.

About the Author Quinn G. Caldwell, a United Church of Christ minister, is the co-author, with Curtis J. Preston, of the Unofficial Handbook of the United Church of Christ, published by The Pilgrim Press.