Jesus describes himself as the True Vine in this week’s Gospel reading. And he says that if we abide in him, then we can ask whatever we want and we will receive it. And yet, for most of us (all of us?) that doesn’t seem to be happening.

Perhaps what we need to focus on is not our fear that somehow we are failing God and will be cut off. Perhaps what we need to focus on is learning to abide in Jesus, who is the vine, without whom we can not bear fruit – in other words – have our petitions granted. If we love what Jesus loves, then we shall ask what he would ask. And on the day when we do that, our request is granted because it is as if he asked the Creator for us, on our behalf.