Introduction
This rosary reflection contains selected verses of Jesus’ discourse to his disciples, comparing himself to a vine and his Father to the vine grower.
The Gospel Account
This Gospel passage is part of the Last Supper narrative of Jesus to His disciples. Jesus compares himself to a vine and his Father to the vine grower. Vineyards were a common symbol of God’s fruitfulness on earth. Grapes are the fruit of the vineyard which became wine that brought people together at harvest time, to drink and enjoy God’s bounty.
The “Jesus the Vine” Rosary Reflection contains Jesus teaching to his disciples found in Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John. The full passage is John 15:1-15.
The Five Decades
When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, use these five moments from Mary’s prayer in the Gospel. Read the Gospel verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade.
First Decade: Let The Father Prune You (John 15:1-2)
[Jesus said:] “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 everything that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.”
Second Decade: Remain in Jesus (John 15:5-6)
“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.”
Third Decade: Ask for Whatever You Want (John 15:7-9)
“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.”
Fourth Decade: Love as Jesus Loved (John 15:11-13)
“I have told you this that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Fifth Decade: Fifth Decade: Be a Friend of Jesus (John 15:14-15)
“You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.”
What to Remember
These Gospel verses reflect the words of Jesus to stay connected to him and his Father, whose life flows into you through the Holy Spirit.
As a follower of Jesus, and child of God, you are called to bear much fruit through the love, joy, and peace you bring to your family, friends, and all relationships.
Just as Mary told Jesus that the wine had run out at the wedding in Cana, her prayers can help you experience the vintage of God’s love and mercy poured out on others through you.
What to Pray For
- For the willingness to let God prune away the dead areas of sin and selfishness in your life.
- For the grace to remain in Jesus, let Jesus’ words remain in you, so you may ask for what you need and want.
- For fruitful lives for all Christians, so that they may become true disciples and God may be glorified through them.
- For an abundance of good will, love and peace to replace discord and division.
Feel free to pray the rosary using these Scripture verses for a deeper belief in Jesus’ life in you.
When This Gospel Appears
John’s Gospel account appears in the Gospel readings for the Fifth and Sixth Sundays of Easter in the Lectionary. The latest appearance was May 15 and May 22, 2022.
* Scripture passages are from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops website, https://usccb.org/bible
