Viticulture (from Latin vitis=vine) is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. Duties of the viticulturist include monitoring and controlling pests and diseases, fertilizing, irrigating, deciding when to harvest, and vine pruning. Reasons to prune vines include dead branches removal, improving or sustaining health, reducing risks from falling branches, and increasing the yield of flowers or fruits.

The Bible makes numerous references to wine and grapevines, both symbolically and literally. Noah grew grapes in his farm (Gn 9:20–21). Israel is the choice vine transported from Egypt and planted in the land promised to Abraham’s descendants. Wine is used during Jewish festivals (Dt 18:3–5; 14:22–27). It is mentioned several times, as in Jesus’ parable of the Kingdom of heaven which likens it to the vine owner who starts to engage laborers for his vineyard (Mt 20:1-16). The vine is used as symbol of Jesus Christ based on his own statement, “I am the true vine” (v 1).

In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of remaining or abiding in him. In our spiritual lives, we cannot just “do it alone.” A priest or a minister may be deeply engaged in “things of the Church,” but if he neglects his communication with the Lord in prayers or his meditation on the Word of God, he may find himself burnt out and without joy in his ministry.

The Gospel also invites us to be open to be stripped down of “luxuriant branches” that we may bear much fruit. Pruning by the Lord—the Vine Grower—involves cutting off not only of vices but also of good things that have given us support in our lives. Thus, the disciples are to let go of comfort zones, of familiar friends, and commodities when the mission requires it. When Jesus was asked to remain in Capernaum where he found welcome, he said to his disciples, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come” (Mk 1:38).

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question. They were sent on their journey by the Church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brethren.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.” The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” or “Alleluia.”

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.

“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

“Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”