Reflection for May 5 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 15:1-8

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."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a good man; he was active in their church, he was a responsible father and husband. His friends and relatives look up to him for he lived his life worthy in the eyes of God and men. However, there was one instance wherein he became friends with a woman and that friendship created an attraction between them. 

He threw away his Godly values and he coveted the woman. In the process of his covetous desires his family and personal life started to suffer. Before he knew it he was already living a miserable life. 

This story sometimes happens to some of us, we sometimes choose to lead our lives our own selfish ways and not God’s way. Often times many of us are very stubborn in following our worldly caprices and wants even if we know that what we want is wrong. We follow our selfish desires and not the desire of God. 

In the gospel Jesus tells us that He is our vine and God is our vine grower. He urges us to remain in Him no matter what happens in our lives. For through Him emanates all graces. Sometimes there are instances where we also encounter trials/temptations. We must therefore not let these trials/temptations be an instrument of our separation from Jesus. 

What are these temptations that often steers us away from God? It’s the temptation of the flesh, the temptation to engage in corrupt acts to add more numbers to our bank accounts. And there’s a lot more temptation out there waiting to capture us. 

We must not cut ourselves from the true Vine (Jesus) and the Vine grower (God) for it is only through them that we would experience true happiness in this world that will outlast our lifetime. 

Eventually we will die, perhaps one of the questions that God would ask us before we are allowed entry into heaven is this: Did you remain with me in your lifetime? Did you not allow the temptations of the world cut you off from me; your Vine grower? 

How would we answer God then? – Marino J. Dasmarinas