Fr. Michael writes: There is no such thing as a solitary Christian. Every Christian is linked to Christ and to all other Christians by an invisible bond. This bond is very precious. It was Christ who wished it, and it was he who best described it. He said in today’s Gospel:- “I am the vine, you are the branches”. Jesus wants us, his disciples to realize that they are branches of the same vine and that therefore they should form a community of love. Often we live and act as if we had nothing in common, even though it is Christ who invites us. Hence, there is no such thing as a solitary Christian. The fruit which Christ desires from us is primarily that of unity among ourselves, and it is He who unites us. His life is the ‘sap’ that gives life to us the branches, by the bond that exists between us. Of course all of this is the ideal, but it is something our society is in need of and for which we should all strive. 5th Sunday of Easter