THE 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.”
REFLECTION
Today we are measured and evaluated by what we produce and achieve. We put emphasis on accomplishments. We forget that as Christians we will be asked by God, “Where are the fruits?”. God asked us not just to be successful but to be FAITHFUL to Him. The Gospel today focuses on “bearing fruit” by being united to Jesus. For we are nothing without Christ in our lives. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Fifty-nine days have passed since lockdown – but can we say that we have been close to God? Until now we are still struggling to look for vaccine and control the virus using our own strength and intellect. How many days more do we need to accept that we need to surrender to God and let Him do everything for our own good. Without God this war against this unseen virus is futile. Yes, we need to do our part but not as if everything depends on us. Now we need to TRUST the LORD for without Him we are nothing!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I abandon myself into Your hands; do to me what You will for I know without You I am nothing. Use me whatever may be fitting that I may bear fruits. I leave this pandemic into Your hands to be eradicated by Your precious Blood for our Peace and Salvation. Amen