When we see leaf, flower, and fruit on the branch, we know with certainty that the vine lives.  All the “show” may be in the branch, but the “tell” comes from the vine.  The tree may be old and largely decayed, the stump may appear more dead than alive, but if there hangs a cluster on the branch, the vine lives.

          In our case, the vine is life and health to us, even unto eternity.  Pruning comes to the branches, which then provide fruit . . . more fruit . . . much fruit . . . and FRUIT THAT REMAINS, by the will of God.  Here is food for thought!

         We’ve all watched blossoms turn into squash or tomatoes or peaches. It’s mysterious and miraculous to us, even thought it happens in millions of gardens around the world all year long (remembering greenhouses and the eternal summer of the two hemispheres.) But spiritual fruit, and fruit that remains? No earthly vine can accomplish that latter part, but this is, we are, the engrafting that has turned history and humanity toward heaven. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, may we bear fruit, and may our fruit remain! 

          How do we do it?  We “cultivate” nearness.  Apart from the vine, we can do nothing, though we have sometimes tried to bring forth fruit by branch power, branch anger, branch management and wound up with a barren branch.  

          Now we are learning to do what we’re good at . . . branches that remain in the vine bear fruit.  Jesus tells us just how it is done, and for us in Cor Unum, it is our standard of every day life: 

          “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what ye will and it will be done for you.”  (John 15:7)  Fruit comes forth in prayer, and the one who abides in Jesus, with Jesus’ Word abiding in Him, knows the fruitfulness of answered prayer. 

         There is more . . .         “Just as the Father has loved me so have I loved you; continue in my love.”  The life of the vine is rooted in the most healthy, the most vital love of the Father.  When our Cor Unum life is planted there, we will be a fruitful cloister . . . or cluster, if you will.    

Unknown; cropped, cleaned up, and levels adjustment by Howcheng