28 April, 2024 | Fifth Sunday of Easter

 Acts 9:26-31, 1 Jn 3:18-24: 

Gospel Jn 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 every one 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."

Reflections:

When God works in someone's life, that person shines like a star in the midst of a darkened world. We may sometimes face trials and difficulties in our lives caused by our attachment to things that are not of God. But if we put these things into the hand of God, our ungodly attachments can be cut away so that we can bear fruit. No self-help project, no amount of study or devotion can compare with God's gentle pruning touch. Jesus promised that the Father himself is the pruner. A tremendous sense of security is ours when we recognise this truth. Who could be more reliable, more patient, more loving and more desirous of our growth than our heavenly Father?

Action: 

When you read the Bible today, rejoice in the inexhaustible riches of God.