Simply put: Remain close to Jesus.
“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.”” Jn 15: 1-8
After Jesus was born, died and rose he commissioned the
apostles to form the Church and elected Peter to lead it as the first pope.
Apostolically the Church has continued despite many dissensions and divisions
brought on by the sin of human nature. The sin of greed which cause some to
want to keep the Church to themselves; the sin of selfishness which may cause
someone to make themselves greater than God; the sin of pride which cause some
to form their own church; and/or the sin of anger and hatred which cause some
to leave or deny the Church.
Yet the Church remains as do its many followers. And we
are constantly being pruned (reminded that we are sinners and granted mercy);
and asked to bear fruit by being evangelists for Jesus Christ by learning and spreading
His truth in word and deed.
Do we constantly seek the wisdom to learn and understand
His truth and teachings so that we remain attached to the solid branches of
Christ? Do we allow him to lead and prune us so that we too can bear good
fruit?
By my baptism I have been attached to the vine and I continue
to grow despite my own sinfulness which could distance me from the roots of my
faith. In those times and times of suffering I have the choice to wither, or to
remain in Him, so that I may come back even stronger and hopefully bear His
fruit by my witness for Him.
Heavenly Father: The trunk, Your tree, the Church, is far
reaching. May I remain attached and with You always. Help me to remain strong
in my faith, constantly growing, so that I may bear fruit for You. Thank You
for allowing me Your forgiveness and healing so that I may be pruned by You.
And when I grow weak, in times of suffering or stress, help me to remain in You
so that I may be strengthened by the nurturing roots (grace) of Your life.
Amen.
My hope is that you are next to me and joined with me in
His Church to bear fruit, or that you are the next fruit which will be born and
joined so that together we will remain with Him.
Blessings,Charlotte
