John 15:1-8
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
It took me a while as a novice to learn the difference between cutting away and pruning. I’m not a natural gardener and could never really see the bigger picture of what was needed. I felt safest with weeding. I realise that for many things I need to physically see an outcome before I can really understand what is needed to get there.
The time of monastic formation is an experience of pruning like you would never imagine. Everything that gave you identity before you entered is stripped away. It takes a good deal of trust to even imagine that what remains of you will bear fruit. But it does.
When Jesus speaks of us having been ‘pruned’ by the word I am reminded of those times when suddenly a very familiar text has spoken directly to my situation and pretty much demanded a course of action. There’s no turning back when this happens.
How have you been pruned by the Word?