Replies

Meditation: John 15:1-8

5th Sunday of Easter

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

A good gardener can seem like a surgeon sometimes: meticulously careful in his goal of removing anything that is a threat to his plantings. He is completely dedicated to making his roses even more beautiful or his grapes more delicious.

Imagine the kind of pruning Jesus, the master Gardener, had to do with Paul. In the days immediately following his conversion, Paul proved needed a lot of work! On fire with his new-found faith, he debated so forcefully with the Jews in Damascus that they tried to kill him. Even the disciples were afraid of him (Acts 9:26-29)! The situation became so drastic that the apostles decided to send Paul back home to Tarsus for a while. They could tell that some time away from all the action would do him good.

This story shows us two ways that God likes to prune us. First, there is quiet time spent with the Lord. Paul spent a number of years in Tarsus praying, studying the Scriptures, and examining his heart. During this time of retreat, he gave the Holy Spirit the opportunity to soften his rough edges, reveal the gospel to him more clearly, and prepare him for his future ministry. The same holds true for us. By sitting quietly before the Lord in prayer, we give the Spirit the opportunity to prune us and form us.

Another way God prunes us is through the steps we take in our walk with him, whether we are sharing our faith or trying to serve our family. As Saul preached, he came to see how argumentative he was. He learned from his mistakes, and over time he learned the art of being both passionate and compassionate in his preaching.

So keep stepping out in faith, but be sure also to keep listening to the Lord in the quiet of your prayer. Let him prune you, and you’ll find yourself bearing more and more fruit for his kingdom!

“Come, Holy Spirit, and make me more like Jesus!”

Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32; 1 John 3:18-24

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:

Mass Readings: Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

1. In the first reading we find Saul speaking “boldly in the name of the Lord.” In what ways do you believe that you also have been called to boldly tell others of Christ, e.g., at work, in your neighborhood, or in everyday encounters with other people? What do you believe is the source of this boldness?

2. With the following words, the Responsorial Psalm also reinforces the call we have as Catholics to share our faith with others: “Let the coming generation be told of the Lord that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice of the Lord.” In what ways have you been willing to tell members of your family how Jesus satisfied the justice of God by dying on the cross for our sins? What are the obstacles that you may need to overcome in order to do this with a confidence that the Lord will use you to touch the “coming generation”?

3. The second reading encourages us to love “not in word or speech but in deed and truth” and to “love one another just as he commanded us.” How well do you regard other members of your parish as your brothers and sisters in Christ? In what ways do you show it “in deed and truth”? What additional steps can you take to reach out even more to others in your parish or your community?

4. In the Gospel, Jesus says to his disciples (and us): “I am the vine, you are the branches,” and he says that that he will “prune” the branch (that is, you and I) so that “it bears more fruit.” Jesus also tells us that “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” What do these words mean to you?

5. The meditation ends with these encouraging words: “So keep stepping out in faith, but be sure also to keep listening to the Lord in the quiet of your prayer. Let him prune you, and you’ll find yourself bearing more and more fruit for his kingdom!” In what ways have the pleasant and difficult circumstances of your life allowed your heavenly Father to prune you and mold you, so that you become more and more like his beloved Son? How has this pruning by the Lord allowed your faith, and the fruit that it bears, to grow? What additional steps can you take to increase your openness to his pruning?

6. Take some time now to pray and ask the Father, through his Holy Spirit, to prune you and make you more like Jesus -- so that you can “bear much fruit.” Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

A Christian Pilgrim

THERE CAN BE NO REAL FRUIT APART FROM JESUS

02 May

THERE CAN BE NO REAL FRUIT APART FROM JESUS

(A biblical refection on THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [Year B] – May 3, 2015)

Gospel Reading: John 15:1-8

First Reading: Acts 9:26-31; Psalms: Psalm 22:26-28,30-32; Second Reading: 1 John 3:18-24

The Scripture Text

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that is may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. 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. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he is the bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in Me, any words abide in you, as whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:1-8 RSV)

Have you ever seen a grapevine in the wild? Left to itself, the plant rambles through underbrush and clings to everything in its path. It puts its energy into wrapping itself around rocks, brambles, and tree trunks. It produces small, usually bitter fruit. A well-tended vine – something you’d expect to find on the slopes of wine country in California for instance – is another story entirely. This plant is tall, sturdy, and trained to produce. Thanks to careful pruning, it yields large clusters of healthy, sweet-tasting grapes.

Speaking to people who were well acquainted with the differences between wild and cultivated plants, Jesus used the image of the grapevine to convey an important spiritual truth. God our Father is the vine-grower par excellence, the master cultivator of the human vineyard. Wanting the best for His vines, He enables each one to tap into the source of true life – into an intimate, abiding relationship with His only Son. Maintain this connection, Jesus promises, and you will live an abundant, fruitful life (John 15:5,7).

Characteristically, vines have two kinds of branches: those that bear fruit and those that don’t. The non-producing branches must be carefully pruned so that the vine can devote all its resources to producing the best fruit possible. The same is true of the vines in the Father’s vineyard. Staying connected to Jesus and producing a healthy yield necessarily means allowing ourselves to be pruned. It means trusting in Jesus’ goodness and obeying His commands so that all that is not of Him can be stripped away. That’s how we can produce an abundant harvest, both in our inner lives and in our ability to bring His word and His love to the world around us.

Jesus said that there can be no real fruit apart from Him (John 15:5). There is simple truth here: We are either fruit-bearing or we are not. There is no in-between. Jesus promises us abundant fruit, provided we remain on with Him and say yes to His gentle, but firm, pruning our lives. The heavenly vine-grower awaits our answer. Will you allow Him to cultivate you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, make my heart one with You and Your Son, so that I may bear fruit that brings You glory and honor. Amen.

Note: Please also read the biblical reflection entitled “TO ABIDE IN JESUS EACH DAY, AS HE ABIDES IN US” (reading for May 6, 2012) in the blog: A CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE.