Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the Fifth Week of Easter (27th April, 2016) on the Gospel
Acts 15:1-6;
Ps 121:1-5. (R. cf. v. 1);Jn 15:1-8.
Topic: Branches of the vine.
Jesus used the parable of the vine to illustrate the connection
between Him and His disciples. His Father, the vinegrower prunes fruitful
branches to bear more and removes unfruitful branches to wither and be thrown
into the fire. His disciples were pruned by His words. And He warned,
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just 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. Those who abide in me and I in them
bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Saint Paul tells us that we become part of Christ (Christians)
to bear fruits for God, cf. Rom 7:4.
Good tree bears good fruit whereas bad tree bears bad fruit, cf. Lk 6:43; Matt 7:18. John the Baptist warned
the Pharisees and the Sadducees who came to him for baptism, “Bear fruit that
befits repentance” (Matt 3:8; cf. Lk 3:8).
And in line with today’s gospel, John the Baptist went ahead and warned, “Even
now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does
not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt 3:10). Jesus also gave the same warning, cf. Matt 7:19.
Each and every one of us must therefore prove that he/she is worthy
of remaining part of the vine by bearing good fruits. And the desired fruits include
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,
cf. Gal 5:22-23a. Our Father is
glorified by bearing much good fruits. And He will glorify those who glorified
Him, cf. Jn 13:32; 2Tim 2:11-12.
Bible Reading: Matt 7:15-20; Gal 5:16-26.
Thought for today: One must bear fruits to live.
Let us pray: God, help us bear good fruits to remain
part of the vine – Amen.
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