GOSPEL POWER l MAY 18, 2022 - WEDNESDAY

5th Week of Easter

Saint John I, pope and martyr

Gospel: Jn 15:1-8 

 Jesus said to his disciples, 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is  the vine-grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit.  Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.  3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to  you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear  fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you  abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide  in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can  do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a  branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire,  and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for  whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified  by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” 

Autonomy and self-directedness are alien concepts in  Christian discipleship. Jesus’ image of the vine and its  branches eloquently speaks of the organic unity that exists  between him, the Master, and the Christian disciple. Just as branches  detached from the vine are lifeless, so a disciple apart from Jesus  can achieve nothing. The secret of fruitfulness is remaining in Jesus.  This organic dependence on Jesus safeguards the Christian mission  from becoming an object of worldly ambition and a stepping-stone to  personal success. The ever-attentive Vine Grower knows the barren  branches to be cut off and those to be pruned for greater fruitfulness. 

Lord Jesus, never let us be parted from you, for only in union with you can we bear abundant fruit and give glory to the heavenly Father. Amen.