John 15:4-10
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Homily:
The way of the Lord is so plainly laid before us, we struggle to accept it because everything we see and know is complex.
Even when we accept it, at the slightest storm, we start to sink like Peter when he was invited to walk on water.
We expect a wasting life because that is the recurring theme of most lives and we assume that we are undeserving of a fruitful life or that any fruits are in themselves wasted with time.
We are a branch that connects to the vine, bears fruit, disconnects from the vine starts to wither and then start wondering why the initial connection was not enough. Worse still, we expect the connection of others to help us bear fruit – the connection of our priest, pastor, parent, friend or prayer warrior.
But that is not how it works. Consistency is a greater signal of commitment, care and courage, than intensity.
Through the highs and lows, storms and calm, what branch do you remain connected to. The branch of faith in God or the branch of doubt in your being?
Choose to remain connected. And to connect, abide in His Word, daily.