Telling stories

mysteries_eucharistI think that we are at our best as people when we tell the stories that carry meaning, but have enough “wiggle room” to let people stew over the story a bit. When I was a young child the “Uncle Remus” fables were part of the narrative in books and in Disney movies. Uncle Remus is a fictional character, the title character and narrator of a collection of African-American animal stories, songs, and oral folklore adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris, published in 1881. Br’er Rabbit (“Brother Rabbit”) is the main character of the stories, a likable character, prone to tricks and trouble-making, who is often opposed by Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear. Continue reading

Vine and branches: remain

Jesus-Apostles-vine-branch2Remaining. Another word with a double meaning is meno — translated “remain” in our text, but it also carries meanings of “abide, stay; live, dwell; last, endure, continue.” Sometimes this verb refers to the branch staying connected to the vine and sometimes it refers to disciples staying connected to Jesus. This word occurs 11 times in 15:1-17. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, neither can disciples bear fruit if they are disconnected from Jesus. Continue reading