“The Church has been planted by the heavenly farmer as a choice vineyard…The true vine is Christ who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us, who through the Church abide in Christ without whom we can do nothing.” This quote from the Dogmatic Constitution On the Church (Vatican II, n. 6) portrays the image of the Church as the vineyard found in the Liturgy today.
Like the owner of the vineyard who cherishes and cares for the vineyard, God cherishes and cares for us. Like the owner of the vineyard who expects to find sweet luscious grapes, God expects us to produce the good fruit of patience, compassion, peacemaking, and making relationships right.
How do you know God’s care for you and for the Church? How is the Holy Spirit prompting you to greater fruitfulness?