Art Reading Scripture

Decorative Vine and Branches, Pastor's Office Trinity Lutheran Church, Milaca, MN

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... And the Word became flesh and lived among us. John 1

I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, ... John 15:5

Abba Ephrem, a prominent teacher of the early church (306-373 CE): "While yet a child, Abba Ephrem had a dream and then a vision. A branch of vine came out of his tongue, grew bigger and filled everything under heaven. It was laden with beautiful fruit. All birds of heaven came to eat of the fruit of the vine, and the more they ate, the more the fruit increased." (Sayings of the Desert Fathers).

Words matter and the Word matters. The Word that became flesh is the word that grows from our lives, our souls, our minds, our bodies and from our tongues voicing a witness into the world. The words we speak are heard by those in our presence, family and children, people we meet on the street or in the store, on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. The metaphor of Abba Ephrem that the words he spoke to others was a vine and branches bearing fruit, beautiful fruit, led him to say things that edified those around him, built them up, and witnessed the love of God for them. Such words should grow from our lives, branch out from our mouths and be received as nourishment by those who hear them, taste them, receive them. "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds," is a line from Bohemian Rhapsody spoken by Bomi to his son Freddie Mercury. Good thoughts, good words, good deeds, indeed!

The words we hear from others affect us. They enter us through the body, the ear, through our minds, souls and hearts. We cannot control what others say and consequently what we hear, what we are fed. We are grateful when the words are beautiful, words of gratitude, affirmation, and care about our lives. We have also listened to sour words, tasted rotten fruit that spoils the spirit. Some words are just plain vulgar and offensive, words used as fillers, meaningless at one level and crude at another, as they are repeated over and over again. You know the words and what they fill you with. We know angry words, words of judgment and condemnation, and words of threat and fear. These words increase when we respond in kind and let the fruit of the mouth stink like dogs breath or infect as with a Komodo Dragon's saliva.

The Apostle Paul listed the words that the vine of Christ branches from us as the Spirit gives utterance, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 5:22 One could add other fruitful words; forgiveness, mercy, grace, gratitude, empathy, respect, responsibility, understanding, acceptance, care. Such are words of virtue rather than vice. Paul knew the vice words, the sour fruits that should not grow from our lives. Before speaking pastors often recite to themselves Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and redeemer." We trust that if the words are acceptable to God, they will bless the people who hear them. The Psalms pray for protection of others from words we might speak. "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not turn my heart to any evil, ..." Psalm 141:3-4

The Vine and Branches decorative art and its imagery traditionally reminds us of the eucharistic words of Jesus, "This is my body ... This cup is the new covenant in my blood." These words are good fruit to consume, ever more and more. Filled with good words we speak lives of goodness, faith, hope and love so those who hear us may be drawn to seek more from where that came from. The vine and branches in the office are just a wall hanging, yet they speak faith and I listen.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer