We give praise and thanks to God for the graces He has given us! Christ has risen, Alleluia. He has risen indeed. Alleluia. Today, in the Gospel according to John, we hear the profound words of Jesus, likening Himself to a vine and us to branches. He says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.”
In this analogy, Jesus reveals a profound truth about our relationship with Him and the Father. He is the source of our spiritual nourishment, our strength, and our life. Without Him, we are like withered branches, unable to bear fruit. As branches of the true vine, we are called to remain in Him, to abide in His love, and to bear fruit that glorifies the Father.
But what does it mean to abide in Christ? It means to stay connected to Him through prayer, through the sacraments, through acts of love and service to others. Just as the branches draw their sustenance from the vine, so too do we draw our strength and life from Jesus. When we remain in Him, we are filled with His grace, His peace, and His love. And as a result, we are able to bear fruit – the fruit of holiness, the fruit of good works, the fruit of love.
But Jesus also warns us against the danger of being disconnected from Him. He says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” When we try to live our lives apart from Christ, when we rely solely on our own strength and abilities, we find ourselves empty and fruitless.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us take to heart the words of Jesus today. Let us remain in Him, like branches attached to the vine. Let us open our hearts to His love, His grace, and His presence in our lives. Let us bear fruit that lasts – fruit that brings glory to God and blessings to others.
May we always remember that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. But with Him, all things are possible.
Amen.
Please invite someone to Mass.
St. Philip Neri, pray for us!
Have a blessed week,
-Fr. Szparagowski.
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