Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs
Remain in me. (John 15:4)
Imagine hearing a farmer tell you how pleased he is with the buds on his apple trees and how he is planning on cutting the branches and putting them in water so that the apples can grow. You’d think he was crazy, wouldn’t you? No branch can produce fruit once it is cut off from the tree!
Just so, your heavenly Father doesn’t want you to be separated from Jesus, the vine. That’s why Jesus urges us to remain in him. It’s vital that we stay connected to Christ so that we can continue to grow and bear good fruit.
The thought of remaining in Christ can seem intimidating, though. We know how easy it can be to lose touch with the Lord and get ensnared by sin. The threats to our faith can seem so menacing that we can feel defeated before we even get out of bed in the morning.
Relax! You may feel a lot of pressure to remain in Christ, but never forget that God himself is your vinedresser. Let him take care of you. Remember, too, that you are already in Christ by virtue of your baptism.
Think about all the ways God is already helping you remain in Christ. Every time you receive the Eucharist, you are being fed by Christ, the vine. Every act of repentance, every confession, is an experience of “pruning.” In Confirmation, the Spirit is released in your life, and in Holy Orders or Matrimony, you invite the Spirit to empower and secure your chosen vocation. He has given you his word in the Scriptures and the gift of your brothers and sisters in the Church. He has given you the voice of your conscience, as well as the greatest of all gifts: the indwelling Spirit. Finally, he has given you the beauty of creation, which can draw your heart and mind back to Christ and feed your soul.
So take it easy! Jesus, the vinedresser, is taking care of you. Think of the sap flowing in a tree. As long as the pathways are open, the sap flows, and the tree has nothing to worry about. So receive God’s abundant provision for you. It doesn’t all depend on you.
“Thank you, Lord, for being so committed to me! Help me to become as fruitful as possible.”
Acts 15:1-6; Psalm 122:1-5
Daily Marriage Tip for May 21, 2014:
Consider taking an adult education class together. It could be on technology, a book club, marriage enrichment, a scripture study, or learning more about your faith. Don’t have time to go to a class? Send each other informative emails. Keep your minds alive and in sync.