10 May, 2023 | Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

 Gospel Jn 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."

Reflections:

In today’s gospel Jesus reminded his disciples that apart from him anything they do will be in vain. He gave them the picture of a vine and the branches. Just as the branches experience death when detached from the trunk similarly our life will  slowly wither, if not attached and pruned by him. When the word of God lives in us, it enables us to transform, it flourishes our life in making good choice and encourage us to stand and see the truth. This response is possible only if we are connected to Christ. Jesus says ‘if you abide in me and my word abides in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be done for you. Our fruitfulness   depends on our relationship with Jesus. When we have him as our source we radiate positive effect on ourselves and vibrate that same effect to those around us. Nothing makes us more joyful than having God’s word in our life.

Activity: 

 Is Jesus the source of my life and my action?