Christ enlivens our soul, only if we let His love flow through us
Reflections on the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (April 29, 2018): ACTS 9:26-31, PS 22:26-27,28,30,31-32, 1JN 3:18-24, JN 15:1-8
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today’s Gospel reading reinforces the truth that Jesus is the life of our soul.
His message speaks of the ongoing intimacy our Savior has with His followers. “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.… If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you” (John 15:5, 7). Branches cannot survive without nourishment from the vine. We cannot live and grow without receiving God’s grace and doing His will.
Jesus emphasizes the need to bear good fruit. It is not sufficient for us to say we are Catholics, to call ourselves Christians. We have to be ready to prune away our sins and any barriers we place between Jesus and us. Good fruit means having a close relationship with Him and caring for our neighbors. Through prayer, sacrifice and acts of charity, we open ourselves to Christ and allow Him to transform us into genuine disciples. Our Lord blesses us with His love and mercy. He wants us to welcome Him into our hearts and homes – not just when it is convenient, or when we are in the mood, or when we want Him to pay attention to us. We must express our belief in Jesus with our whole will, our whole being, day by day.
