True and False Vines, by Fr. Paul D. Scalia

By Fr. Paul D. Scalia,  The Catholic Thing, April 28, 2024

Fr. Paul Scalia is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, VA, where he serves as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of Saint James in Falls Church. He is the author of That Nothing May Be Lost: Reflections on Catholic Doctrine and Devotion and the editor of Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul.

“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) Jesus is truer than any shepherd in this world, more nourishing than any bread, and brighter than any light. Indeed, it’s not just that He’s greater than these earthly realities, but that they derive their meaning from Him. ….

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