Gospel: 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 for HC – Bob B’s Intentions- OL Gerald Kiwanuka RIP.
Reflection:
My late grandmother used to write the initials “AMDG” in some of her letters to me. AMDG is the abbreviation for “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (For the greater glory of God). In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that His Father is glorified when we bear much fruit and become His disciples. Bearing fruit requires pruning, otherwise we “will be thrown out like a branch and wither”. Commenting on the importance of pruning, Fr Donald Haggerty wrote: “Fruitfulness in the spiritual life depends on the disappearance of egoism and concern for self. And bearing fruit will be impossible without a dying within ourselves, a loss of attention to self. A detachment from self is essential if we wish to walk this path towards the deeper personal mystery of God.”
In an age of “me, mine, and myself”, there is a constant temptation for us to be in control. This includes our vocation and ministry in the Church. Jesus reminds us to follow His lead. Fr Haggerty highlighted Jesus’ self-emptying prayers: “your will be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42) and “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” (Matthew 15:34). Jesus let go of Himself and let His Father take full control. Doing so, He has conquered sin and death. He has glorified the Father!
- How ready are you to “let go and let God”?
- How does self-detachment help you become a better Christian?
- “Prayer afflicted by a sense of weary futility is approaching a great truth if only we can turn a consuming attention to the beloved One who hangs fixed by nails on a Roman cross.” (Fr Donald Haggerty). How does your prayer direct you to Jesus?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. May our prayer mirror Your own self-emptying prayer so that the Father may prune us to become Your fruitful branches. Amen.
(Pietro)
