Sunday, April 13, 2003
Sunday, April 13, 2003
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear
much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."
"Finally, I regained my senses," says Player, "at least a portion of them. Still groggy, I chipped
onto the green and then somehow knocked the long putt into the hole. At that time, I assumed I
had tied for the lead and would be in a play-off. An official then informed me that I had incurred a
two-stroke penalty for impeding the flight of the ball because it had struck me. I lost the
tournament."
I have days like that, don't you?
That's why it is so wonderful to be in worship on Sunday mornings to hear the Gospel. "I am the
vine," said Jesus, "and you are the branches." Have you ever thought about how much hope is
packed into that powerful sentence?
(John 15.5
NRSV)
There is a story about professional golfer Gary Player that sounds like it could have happened to
you or to me. Once in a major tournament Player tried to ricochet a ball off a stone wall. "I tried to
be fancy," admitted Player. The ball hit the wall where it was intended, but instead of finishing on
the green, it ricocheted back and hit Player on the cheek. The force of the blow actually knocked
him out cold.
Loving God, your message of hope from Jesus is reassuring, especially when I have a bad day.
Amen.
