Acts 15:1-6,
Psalm 122: 1-2.3-4ab.4cd-5,
John 15 :1 -8 Full Readings
Fruitful Discipleship
Brethren, today we reflect again on this parable of the vine. Notice that this parable is addressed to Jesus’s disciples. These are instructions for fruitful discipleship. God has chosen us, his disciples today, to bear fruit. Jesus told his disciples, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you” (John 15:16). “Fruit that will remain” means spiritual fruits, such as the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and actions that express the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. Without prayer, worship, and Scripture reading, it is impossible to bear this kind of fruit.
Jesus reminds us that we are totally dependent on remaining close to him in order to have a fruitful life: “Without me you can do nothing.” Additionally, remaining in Christ is a lifelong process. Christian disciples are not “born again,” once and done, but are constantly being filled with divine life by being connected to the life and love of the Holy Trinity each and every day.
Pruning is essential preparation for growing fruit. Imagine a grapevine that is overgrown with old or broken branches. Without pruning, it grows wild and only tiny grapes appear on the branches that do produce. God “prunes” his disciples through his word. God disciplines us when we read and reflect on his word daily. Notice how closely the word “discipline” is to “disciple.” To be a disciple is to be obedient. In Scripture, God reinforces our good actions and habits and patiently persuades us from our sinful actions and habits.
St. Paul teaches us that “the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Imagine this sharp, two-edged sword gently pruning away the unfruitful parts of your life. We can ask ourselves if there is anything that is preventing us from bearing fruit. Do we spend too much time on social media, scrolling through the news, connected to our smartphones, or watching television? Do we have other habits that keep us from loving others well, such as not getting enough sleep so we are grumpy and disagreeable?
God’s Love Grows Fruit: God’s love is the energy for discipleship. It produces the fruit attached to the vine. The love of God comes through Christ the Vine and enters into our hearts, which we then pour out for others. You might think of the Holy Spirit as the essence of God’s love. Consider this passage in conjunction with the parable of the vine: “...the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Imagine the love of God being poured into the Holy Spirit, like a river of living water (John 7:37) flowing through Christ the Vine and into our hearts (the branches), which are attached to Christ’s. This is how the love of God flows to us. It is the life and love of the Holy Trinity itself flowing into our hearts. How can we not love and serve God with confidence? The last line of the parable gives it its meaning: “This I command you, love one another” (John 15:17). We can only love others if we have the love of God flowing to us through Christ: “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Reflect, today, upon the beautiful and meaningful image given to us by Jesus of the vine and the branches. Think of a vine and then think of yourself firmly attached to that vine. Sit with that image prayerfully and let God speak to you. He wants to do great things in you and through you. If you will only cling to Him with all your heart, an abundance of good fruit will be produced.
Let Us Pray
Jesus, your Sacred Heart is the true vine, and my human heart is a branch. Send your Holy Spirit of living water to quench my heart with your love. Your love that is like fire and passionate is also like water, refreshing and life-sustaining. Without earthly water, I would die. Without living water, I would also perish. Fill me with your love and help me pour it out to others in fruitful discipleship. Amen
Blessed Easter Season
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