Father Ken’s Message:
Good afternoon and welcome to the Catholic Cathedral of Sapporo. I, Father Ken am the pastor of the English Mass Community but I am away today celebrating Masses in other churches on our island of Hokkaido. This is a great time of year to be visiting Japan and our city of Sapporo. Last week the Cherry Trees started showing their Cherry Blossoms. It is perhaps the most beloved flower for Japanese people. Though the Japanese Cherry Trees give no fruit they spiritual food by their beauty and they invite people to come together to take photographs and even to picnic and celebrate friendship under their branches.
Similar to the Japanese Cherry Tree for people in Israel the grape orchards offered a similar experience of joy and celebration. The grapevine was the symbol of ancient Israel. It was etched on ancient coins and carved into buildings as decoration. A vineyard was a prized possession in the ancient Middle East because water was scarce and not safe to drink. Wine offered a source of relaxation for drinking and the sweet grapes for eating. The dried grapes turned into raisins were good for winter eating and for baking. Both the Old Testament and New Testament are full of stories about grape vineyards because it was a huge business in ancient times and source of employment.
Over the past 1900 years of Catholic-Christian history the most favorite image of Jesus has been that of the Good Shepherd, which was the topic of last week’s Gospel. In more modern times, the image of the Sacred Heart has also been an inspiring image for us believers. Perhaps the third most popular image is Jesus as the Vine and we as the branches, which is the topic of the Gospel today.
Saint John records that Jesus talked about the Vine and the Branches at the Last Supper. The Last Supper was an updated ritual meal of the Passover which Moses celebrated on the eve before the Jewish people left their life of slavery in Egypt to begin their journey to the Promise Land. At that meal the Jewish families ate lamb meat, unleavened bread, bitter spices and wine. The menu recorded for the Last Supper was simpler. Only bread and wine are recorded. By Jesus announcing that he is the Vine of the grapes, he is saying that he is the source of joy, celebration, and life. And on Sunday’s when we eat the Holy Eucharist (the body and blood of Jesus) Jesus gets inside of us, lives with us, and inspires us. Therefore, every Sunday we come to Mass and participate in the Holy Eucharist our union with Jesus intensifies. For this reason, we fast from food and drink an hour before we take the Holy Eucharist into our bodies to show reverence for Jesus’ presence about to enter into us. This is the process of us become little Christs called “Christians.” We like Jesus the Son of God, also become sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus to carry on his saving work through works of love. Our works of love is the fruit of the vine that Jesus is talking about to his disciples in this last teaching to them at the Last Supper.
The beautiful Second Reading for Mass today is about love. Love is our faith in God made visible. When we love another person, we are recognizing that God made them too. All persons are sacred because we all have the same Father in Heaven. Love is therefore our vocation as Catholic Christians. Our Christian vocation is to become more and more deeply loving persons. Love is our fruit.
Cherry Trees make beautiful pink cherry blossoms thank to the sap inside the trees, we Christians can make beautiful fruit in our own lives thanks to the love of Jesus inside of us from the nourishment of the Holy Eucharist. The Good News is that we are Good because God made you and me. Our homework this week is to be more aware of our lovingness. Let us celebrate our lovingness this week ahead by performing a good deed every day purely out of love. Do something good for someone else without expecting anything back in return. Allow God’s love to shine out of you in all your words, facial expressions and actions. Let us give others an experience of God through our love. Amen.
Thank you very much for coming to Mass today.
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