By Fr. Paul D. Scalia, The Catholic Thing - “I am the true vine.” So, why the adjective? Why does our Lord describe Himself as the true vine? Why not just “the vine,” as in fact He says later? Well, for starters, to make sure we get the analogy right. Because we often get it wrong... We typically think that when our Lord describes Himself in earthly terms – like a shepherd, bread, light, or a vine – that the true versions are down here below and He’s like them. In fact, it’s the opposite. The things of this world, while real, are just images of the surpassing reality of eternal life – “the life that is life indeed.” (1 Timothy 6:19)