A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (15:1-8)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Reflection: In today’s First reading, it deals with Paul and Barnabas. They were sent on their journey by the Church to other towns, and they reported what God had done with them.
As some of you may know, in his earlier life, Paul had successfully persecuted Christians. You would be afraid if he showed up at your house! Paul suddenly “converts/changes.” Would you believe him?
Along with Paul, in today’s reading, was a wise older man namedBarnabas. This was after Paul’s conversion. Barnabas is on this journey with Paul, and knows of Paul’s conversion, and is witness that Paul is now truly connected to Jesus …and that is the connection that counts! That we are connected to Jesus.
A couple Sundays ago, the Gospel was about sheep …who are always connected to a shepherd, who knows where the best food and water is found. Jesus calls you to be a good shepherd as well, who connects people to God. Today’s Gospel message is, vines and branches. It speaks again about connecting.
At my house, I have a neighbor’s tall tree, with long branches that hang over my backyard and provide shade. But no matter how long a branch is, every single leafreceives food from the sun above and, also the branch to which it is connected. Healthy life for those leaves, depends on keeping the right connections to the branches.
Our own life with God also depends on this unbroken connection with our Lord. The Apostles, and even Paul, accomplished miracles because they stayed connected to our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how far they travelled, they always maintained that connection with Jesus. They trusted in God’s nutrition and energy.
This is a very challenging time in our country, in the world, due to the unstable politics. There are all kinds of news saying this or that. These unstable times, makes one’s hearts troubled. But that cannot be the way, for those connected to Christ. Please, don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting ignoring the challenging political issues, that surrounds our daily lives. What I’m saying is, that among the chaos we are living in, we must stay connected to the Way of the Lord.
Jesus calls His followers to be courageous shepherds, and to face any and all disagreement with confidence. That confidence comes, from staying connected to Jesus.
Connections for vines, branches, and Christians, must be endless. Never let a day go by, without connecting with our Lord, in the way He asks us to. If you do, you will find the strength you need there.
Staying connected to Our Lord, was the goal for St. Paul and those early Christians …and should remain your goal/my goal, every day.
Action for the day: Reflect and meditate to identify, where/what is your weak link, that keeps Jesus’ ways, actions—from staying connected to you, among your busy, digital, and often chaotic day—to bear fruit that brings glory to God. Then, ask help from the Holy Spirit, for wisdom and strength to repair, and make that weak link strong again.
Audio Reflection:
