GOSPEL POWER |MAY 5, 2021

WEDNESDAY | 5th 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 removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

REFLECTION

Living in this world that aggressively promotes its values,  even we, believers, at times, unconsciously absorb those  worldly values and manifest them in our behavior. We, too,  can become result-oriented, concerned with bearing fruit and being  successful in our undertakings. We, thus, miss the point of today’s  Gospel. Here, Jesus insists on only one thing — connectedness — “Remain in me.” On this, everything else depends, including fruitbearing and success. Jesus’ image of our relationship with him is far  from abstract. It is organic and dynamic in its concreteness, implying  our total dependence on him, just as the life and productivity of the  branches depend on their being attached to the vine. Individualism  and prideful self-sufficiency are, thus, toxic to our life of faith

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, union with you endows most humble undertakings with  eternal value. Keep us united with you at all times and in all things. Amen