Jesus is the vine, and his disciples are the branches.  This means disciples will have fruits only if they are one with him, and he is one with them. 

John calls the Pharisees and the Sadducees “brood of vipers.”  He tells them that they must bear the fruits that show that they repent.

He asks those who come to him to repent since the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  But he urges more harshly the most God-fearing and observant Jews.  He thus suggests that it is not just about repenting of sins; it is about a deeply rooted change like the conversion of a Gentile to Judaism.

And such is Monsieur Vincent’s conversion.  He is in Paris, “poor, lonely, with no benefice or job.”  So, it is clear he has no fruits to show for all his efforts.

Still and all, he does not lose hope that God will give him the means to retire with honor (SV.EN I:15).  There is no denying, though, that he is still after his own interests and not those of others.

Fruits that conversion calls for. 

His conversion starts as he makes up his mind to consecrate the rest of his life to the poor (J. Delarue).  He means, yes, to follow the One sent to proclaim the Good News to the poor.  The one who does justice to the poor and welcomes the Jews and the Gentiles.

From then on, Monsieur Vincent’s works give the fruits that are due to the productive sap of the vine.  Hence, the clergy receives formation, and the Good News is proclaimed in every way to the poor (SV.EN XII:74. 77).

So, the one who has tried to get away from the poor, in the end, grasps that he is theirs.  To leave them behind is to deny himself.  For he now knows that he is the poorest of the poor (H. O’Donnell).  Hence, he relies wholly on God, who alone is the source of all that is good; he should get the credit for all successes and good fruits (SV.EN VII:305).  Privileges, titles, to dress up as nobles do not count at all.

Lord Jesus, do not let us be pygmy sons and daughters of a giant father.  Grant also that we strike out along new paths and, hence, sing a new song and let the old law yield to the new rite.  Make us, like Mary, give credit always for all good fruits to the Almighty who does great things for us.

7 December 2025
2nd Sunday of Advent (A)
Is 11, 1-10; Rom 15, 4-9; Mt 3, 1-12