Gospel Reading – John 15:1-8
‘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.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for
Reflection:
Jesus introduces us to the great mystery of God sharing his life with us: I am the vine, you are the branches…My Father is the vine-grower. The life that courses through the Holy Trinity is the same life that runs through my veins. The vine is a special tree, where the distinction between the trunk and the branches is more difficult to make out than in other trees: God shares his own life with me. Abide in me as I abide in you…those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
This is the advice Jesus gives us on the eve of his passion, his final message within the intimacy of the circle of his dearest friends. I let this invitation resound in my heart, asking for the grace to grow in my intimacy with Jesus my Saviour so that my life will bear much fruit.
- Spend time in wonder and thanksgiving, asking to be worthy of such grace?
- What fruit are you bearing because of your life in Jesus?