There are no branches without the vine: these would be reduced to a few dry sticks, which we well know are very good for a fire to roast meat, or for a good campfire, but nothing more. There is also no wine without grapes, you need a sufficient number. With a single grape we do nothing; not even with a bunch. Therefore: If we are the branches, and Christ is the vine, without being united to him we can do nothing. We are "dry." And being united to him and to the rest of the branches... we should bear enough fruit to be able to have good wine.
Jesus' statement is: “I am the true vine, and you are the branches; He who abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears abundant fruit; because without me they can do nothing ”. It is a message especially referred to the community of followers. These simple statements do not need us to give them much thought: they are very well understood. Another thing would be to stay consistent with them.
As for the abundant fruit that Jesus refers to (and since he is the buried grain that bears much "fruit") it has to do with a life given, like his, and with the Kingdom... which is described in words as "justice, peace, service, mercy and also commitment to the poor, the sick, the immigrant ..., welcome, freedom, forgiveness, fraternity...".
Although you have to be careful with the "words" because, as John's letter warns today: let's not stop at words, beliefs, ideas, speeches, big affirmations, let's not just love by mouth, but with works, with deeds. That is to say: bearing fruit. "This is his commandment:" that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love one another as he commanded us. " Believing in Jesus Christ is loving and loving ourselves.
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