Connecting to the vine

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today point to how our conscious love and decision to be guided by the Spirit bring us to bear fruit for the greater glory of God.

To the Glory of God

The Acts of the Apostles describes the lead up to the guidance from the Spirit as to whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include obligation to follow Mosaic Law and tradition.

* [15:1–5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation.

In the Gospel from John, Jesus describes the fruit of being connected to God through Him that gives glory to God.

* [15:2] Takes away,prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs.

Colleen Chiacchere asks us to reflect on “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15:8).

A few questions for us to reflect on today: What areas of our lives need the trust and hope that God will bear fruit?  What areas of my life are becoming withered and lifeless because I have separated God from them? For which areas is it easy for me to grateful …which are flourishing… like buds and flowers confidently growing up though the winter ground?

Don Schwager quotes from Cleansed by Jesus' word, by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.

"So the world - life enslaved by carnal passions - can no more receive the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye can look at the light of a sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples' lives through his teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot receive him, because it neither sees him nor knows him... You know him, for he dwells with you' (John 14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who settled the earth and the things in it; and gives breath to the people on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5). From this we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above them become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the gathering  of Paul and Barnabas in Jerusalem to what prescriptions would apply to Gentiles since Jesus was sent by Yahweh to the Jewish people. Seeking the voice of the Spirit not their own opinions was crucial in this meeting. To bear good fruit we must continue nourishment in the Eucharist. God wants us to be one with Him.

Franciscan Media reflects today on the Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church who defended the true faith for his flock, regardless of the cost to himself. In today’s world we are experiencing this same call to remain true to our faith, no matter what.

Cynthia Bourgeault beautifully describes growth in “conscious love” in her sermon, given at her daughter’s wedding. (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Finally, “love endures all things.” . . . Everything that is tough and brittle shatters; everything that is cynical rots. The only way to endure is to forgive, over and over, to give back that openness and possibility for new beginning which is the very essence of love itself. And in such a way love comes full circle and can fully “sustain and make fruitful,” and the cycle begins again, at a deeper place. And conscious love deepens and becomes more and more rooted. . . .

Connected to the vine and open to pruning we thrive and glorify God.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/15

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john15:29

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2018, April 28). Daily Meditations Archive: April 2018 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 2, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2018/04/