Present the Gospel

The reading has images of a living vine being pruned to encourage it to become more fruitful.

While having a vine or similar to prune as the story is read would be ideal, it is impractical in most contexts. However, in the UK, this month is the time for the aftercare of daffodils that flowered back in March. Dig up some bulbs that are due for replanting anyway, selecting mostly those that still have the remains of the dead flower attached. While the passage is read, one or more people prune the bulbs, removing the flower heads and arranging the bulbs neatly on a tray and throwing way the flower heads. At the end of the reading, one of the pruners could say: ‘We remove the flowers because it helps the bulbs save their energy for next year. What would be the equivalent for our church?’