We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
"I am the vine, you are the branches."
(John 15:1-8)
Being Pruned
In the first reading, Paul, once a foe, was not necessarily received with open arms and hugs by the other disciples. Through his friend Barnabas, however, he was brought to the others where he was then allowed to move with them and speak boldly in the name of Jesus. When the disciples learned how Paul was now in danger for doing such, they sent him on his way to Tarsus, to continue his mission by bringing others to Jesus through his testimony. He became a branch to the vine.
In the second reading, John reminds us to keep Jesus’ commandments and do what pleases him. Simply to love one another. To become a branch to the vine.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of his father, the vine grower who takes away every branch that does not bear fruit. “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”.
We are all called to be pruned. Just as we prune off all the dead branches after the last bit of winter, we, ourselves, are expected to be pruned. To discard contentment, disgust, hatred, anger, and all judgments we so easily and readily make upon others. We are to become a branch to the vine and be fruitful.
In the second reading, John reminds us to keep Jesus’ commandments and do what pleases him. Simply to love one another. To become a branch to the vine.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of his father, the vine grower who takes away every branch that does not bear fruit. “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”.
We are all called to be pruned. Just as we prune off all the dead branches after the last bit of winter, we, ourselves, are expected to be pruned. To discard contentment, disgust, hatred, anger, and all judgments we so easily and readily make upon others. We are to become a branch to the vine and be fruitful.
Have you removed any lingering branches that prevent you from growing and flourishing in faith?
Dear Jesus, continue to prune us [your branches] to live, work and serve for your glory, all the days of our lives. Amen.
Reflection by:
Judi Prinzivalli is a native New Yorker and has been a Tampa Bay resident since 1999. Judi attends Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, FL where she proudly serves as a member of the Parish Council, is a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister, and participates in the Sick and Homebound Ministry. Judi and her husband Landy Colón are graduates of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute program (www.dosp.org/lpmi). They have two married daughters who live out of state, and are caretakers of Judi’s mom, who lives close by. She is a small-business owner (www.adjudicake.com) where she proudly helps her customers celebrate, solve or settle all the little things in life .. with cake!”