Last week the lectionary texts focused on the Good Shepherd, and identified a key aspect of shepherding as caring for all of the flock rather than just attending to the narrow interests of the hired hand. This week takes that theme one step further, as the gospel passage uses the horticultural metaphor of the grapevine to underline the importance of our being organically connected to God. But it's not enough to have a personal relationship with God -- as this week's epistle text makes clear, the external evidence of our being connected to God is the care that we exhibit for others.