Reflection for April 27 Wednesday of 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:

There’s a story of two neighbors: one has a bright and positive disposition in life the other one was always gloomy and negative in whatever aspects of life that he deals with. Delving deeper into their lifestyles, the positive one always makes it a point to go to Mass and he has a daily prayer life. The other one is an atheist or a non believer.

Jesus says in the gospel that he is the true vine and God is his vine grower, he tells us to remain in him so that he will remain in us and we will bear much fruit if we will always be with him (John:4).

If we will observe the lives of our fellowmen we will obviously notice that those who have incorporated a lifestyle that is always attuned and connected with God regardless of his religious affiliations and social standing are those that live serene lives. Those who refuse to get connected with God because of their hubris are those that lead complicated and problematic lives.

As we traverse this temporary life it is a must that that we are always with our true vine that is Jesus. Of course there will be problems, disappointments, even sufferings for all of these are part and parcel of our life. Amidst all of these Jesus is always there to help us, to strengthen us and to make our burdens light us.

Do you always see to it that you are always connected with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas