April 29, 2018

Reflection: I am the vine; you are the branches...

Jesus teaches us that He is the vine, God the Father is the vine grower and we are the branches.

Jesus said to His disciples, "I am the 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. John 15:1-2 

How can you bear fruit?
You bear fruit by staying attached to the vine, which is Jesus. He has called you, by name, as His disciple and He wants you to bear fruit with your life.

How do you stay attached to the vine?  
Jesus gave us the Mass to keep us attached to the vine. During the Mass, we hear the Word of God, which nourishes our souls and we receive the Eucharist to feed us as food for the journey, the bread from heaven. We stay attached to the vine by going to confession. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus pours out His Love, Mercy and Forgiveness. Through this Sacrament, Jesus will heal, prune, purify and sanctify us.

Without Jesus, we can do nothing. Jesus uses the image of the vine to show us that we can grow and become who He made us to be. When we stay attached to Him, He gives us strength and grace to endure hardships and to bear fruit with our lives. When we bear fruit, we share our gifts with others; we serve God by serving others.  Jesus said:

By their fruits, you will know them. Matthew 7:20

Have you ever felt alone, isolated or excluded by others?  
If you have experienced this kind of pain, bring your hurts to confession and to Jesus, in prayer, especially during the Mass. If you can, go to daily Mass. In this way, Jesus will heal you and nourish you every day with His Word and the Eucharist.

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. John 15:7-8

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