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 everyone 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."
REFLECTION
“By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
The early Christians had a community lifestyle: praying together, sharing their goods and meals with one another, caring for one another in sickness, family problems, teaching and learning about the Scriptures, and working together for the common good.
However, problems regarding how to deal with the Gentiles and circumcision, caring for the widows or the group that could not contribute or take care of themselves were present. Love was the center of the Church. The Church worked to fix these problems.
History is not immune to repeating itself. We witness now those living in opulence and those barely making ends meet, septuagenarians working to supplement their income, raising their grandchildren, health problems because one can’t afford the medicines or doctor’s visit, loneliness, loss of independence and no one to drive them to Mass, retreats, or Church functions.
Problems have existed in the past, are in the present and will be in the future.
We are the Church! Jesus started the Church and in spite of all the best or worst efforts among us, our goal is to love, bear much fruit and be His disciples. It is our duty to help. It is a gift to help with love. Love is someone, another person--the three Divine Persons.
To fulfill the new commandment and glorify God, embrace His love, and then we can love the other person.
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