Cut the tip off a plant and the side branches become fuller because the source of nourishment spreads to the side branches. One long thin stalk isn’t very attractive, compared to a pruned, full plant reaching in many directions. Each branch can hold some decorations, like a Christmas tree.
The Father’s love went to his son and from him spread in many diverse directions. One vine/person can’t do everything, but the many side branches can do many things.
When I was in Manresa the Trinity was once explained to us as: “Jesus is the kiss of love from the Father and the Spirit is the ‘kissiness’ of the kiss.” In my mind that kiss of love keeps that main vine growing to kiss into existence many branches.
—Camille Devaney serves as Board chair for the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP).