That we May Remain in Jesus the True Vine

05-02-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp

The first reading of today presents us with the personality of Paul who, in spite of all the difficulties, challenges, misunderstanding and suspicion preserved the union with Christ and with the community of his disciples. It is a call to each and every one of us to preserve the unity of our Christian faith despite the challenges we may face in bearing the name of Christ. St John in his first letter underscores a very important point that our faith in Christ is shown by works of love. This ensures the possession of the life of God’s Spirit in us. In the Gospel, John tells us that we can produce works that are the fruit of the Spirit only if we remain and abide in Jesus.

Reflecting further on the first reading of today, the action of Barnabas teaches us there are people who see the best in others and there are those who see the worst in others. We also learn from that first reading that, there is room for growth, renewal and change in every individual. Barnabas saw the best in Paul despite his negative past. Paul who is a great apostle of Christ was formerly Saul a great persecutor of Christians. It is on the basis of his background, that the Apostles could not trust him especially as most of his actions against Christians took place in this very city. But when Christ touched him he became a different person. We learn from the action of Barnabas that one should not be condemned completely based on one’s past. It is so often that because one has made a single mistake in the past the person is forever condemned. However, It is the great characteristic of the heart of God that he has not held our past sins against us and we should never condemn anyone because the person has failed once. Let us give people a chance and room for growth trusting in the grace of God that brings renewal. Let us equally not condemn ourselves for our past mistakes.

In the Gospel Jesus says, ”I am the Vine you are the branches”. This particular passage we read today is a monologue and one of the longest in the fourth Gospel. It begins by saying “I am the vine you are the branches and cut off from me you can do, but spiritually we are empty. It is good to note that, we do not cut off ourselves from Christ automatically but in a gradual and slow process. It begins in very little ways by neglecting our prayers, doubting the power of God in our lives and taking our spiritual lives for granted especially when we delay going to confessions and see no reason to approach the sacrament of confession. When we no longer value the Mass, or miss Sunday Mass, when we pay less attention to the value of Eucharist as a sanctifying grace we begin to cut ourselves off from Jesus the divine master.

In the same way, through the life of prayer, approaching the sacrament of confession with humility of heart and coming to Mass especially Sunday Masses regularly we maintain a constant communication with God thereby remaining close to God. Jesus concludes with a very powerful encouraging statement. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask of whatever you want and you shall get it." God is glorified, when we bear much fruit and show ourselves to be disciples of Jesus. The greatest glory of the Christian life is that by our life and conduct we can bring glory to God.

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