Gospel Reading – John 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is in Thanksgiving
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims himself the ‘true vine’ and we are ‘the branches,’ He teaches us that our spiritual inheritance and spiritual nourishment comes from him alone and not from our association with anyone or any group although they can help us.
We receive our spiritual life of grace from our connection with Jesus. We cannot be saved unless we establish an intimate living and loving relationship with him. If we disconnect ourselves from him we are spiritually worthless for Jesus says, “without me you can do nothing.
• How do I remain connected to Jesus?
• What do I need to do to remain connected?