Beloved in Christ,
"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" (Jn 15:2). Jesus uses the vine and branches allegory to describe his relationship with us. The connection we have with Jesus through our baptism should yield spiritual fruits. Jesus expects our interior union with him to bear abundant fruits of grace. To aid the production of abundant fruits, Jesus needs to prune us. The art of pruning and fruition is of importance here. In pruning, Jesus shapes and gives order to our spiritual life. We are not allowed to grow in the direction of our choice but in the direction, he deems fit for us to become most productive. As branches on the vine that is Jesus, we must be opened to pruning by Jesus or stop producing fruits and dry up.
What sterile branches of our spiritual life need to be cut off? Have we identified branches of our life that produce fruits but require pruning to grow even more? What exactly is Jesus' pruning tool? Jesus would take away any part of our life that is unproductive, from lukewarmness to sinful habits that get in the way of the flowering of the grace of God. But more importantly, the vinedresser would supply more graces when we surrender ourselves to him through prayer, penance, and a life of charity. There is a need for sacrifices if we want the graces of God to flourish even more in our lives. We must continue to be rooted in the vine that will continue to nourish us with his words, teachings, commandments, and sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and the living sap of the Father's vine, the Holy Spirit. We become more bound and receptive to his life and nourishment when he prunes us.
A significant source of nourishment that unites us more intimately and, consequently, more productively in bringing the life of Jesus into the world is the Eucharist. In this year of Eucharistic revival, we must continue to find ways to increase and make the Eucharist more prominent in our lives. In line with this task, after getting permission from the Diocese, we will return Jesus in the Tabernacle to the center of the altar and, by so doing, make him more strikingly visible to us and remind us that he is the focus of our spiritual life. You will hear more about this in the weeks ahead. However, at this point, I want you to keep your life rooted and grounded in communion with Jesus, the vine who nourishes our life in His precious Body and Blood.
One more thing. I just wanted to remind you about two approaching parish events. The Forty Hours is from May 12 through 14, and Pentecost Renewal Day is May 19 at 6 p.m. Please save these dates and make them your priorities.
In Christ the true Vine,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
"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" (Jn 15:2). Jesus uses the vine and branches allegory to describe his relationship with us. The connection we have with Jesus through our baptism should yield spiritual fruits. Jesus expects our interior union with him to bear abundant fruits of grace. To aid the production of abundant fruits, Jesus needs to prune us. The art of pruning and fruition is of importance here. In pruning, Jesus shapes and gives order to our spiritual life. We are not allowed to grow in the direction of our choice but in the direction, he deems fit for us to become most productive. As branches on the vine that is Jesus, we must be opened to pruning by Jesus or stop producing fruits and dry up.
What sterile branches of our spiritual life need to be cut off? Have we identified branches of our life that produce fruits but require pruning to grow even more? What exactly is Jesus' pruning tool? Jesus would take away any part of our life that is unproductive, from lukewarmness to sinful habits that get in the way of the flowering of the grace of God. But more importantly, the vinedresser would supply more graces when we surrender ourselves to him through prayer, penance, and a life of charity. There is a need for sacrifices if we want the graces of God to flourish even more in our lives. We must continue to be rooted in the vine that will continue to nourish us with his words, teachings, commandments, and sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and the living sap of the Father's vine, the Holy Spirit. We become more bound and receptive to his life and nourishment when he prunes us.
A significant source of nourishment that unites us more intimately and, consequently, more productively in bringing the life of Jesus into the world is the Eucharist. In this year of Eucharistic revival, we must continue to find ways to increase and make the Eucharist more prominent in our lives. In line with this task, after getting permission from the Diocese, we will return Jesus in the Tabernacle to the center of the altar and, by so doing, make him more strikingly visible to us and remind us that he is the focus of our spiritual life. You will hear more about this in the weeks ahead. However, at this point, I want you to keep your life rooted and grounded in communion with Jesus, the vine who nourishes our life in His precious Body and Blood.
One more thing. I just wanted to remind you about two approaching parish events. The Forty Hours is from May 12 through 14, and Pentecost Renewal Day is May 19 at 6 p.m. Please save these dates and make them your priorities.
In Christ the true Vine,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
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