This week’s gospel text is really the second half of a longer unit (15:1-17). Jesus, the master of metaphor, uses the image of the vine, the branches, and the vine grower to talk about the qualities of a right relationship between God, Jesus, and Jesus’ disciples. As he continues, however, Jesus moves away from the metaphor in order to make explicit that the “fruitfulness” expected by the Father is no less than the love and obedience that Jesus himself has shown to the world.

The utter intimacy and uttermost connectedness of the love extended from the Father to the Son is the source of Jesus’ own love for his disciples. “Abiding” in this love is what will make the disciples “family members,” that is, they will share in the matchless union between God the Father and Jesus the Son. This “ab…