Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Acts 9:26-31; Ps 22:26-28, 30-32; I John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

Holy Spirit, please give us more insights into God’s plan for our lives.

As in other Sundays in the Easter season, we are looking at great images of Jesus in St. John’s gospel. Last week we reflected a little on Jesus our true shepherd, Ps 23, the Good Shepherd Psalm.

We have very special ways in which Jesus brings us into more of life’s treasures in his kingdom. Our Church life and really many life relationships, are not always a bed of roses as we deal with different personalities and opinions of almost everything under the sun. Most God-created roses do have thorns. We need God’s grace to navigate through the obstacles in our daily lives.

Jesus the vine

This week we take another major theme in the “I AM” statements of St. John, the image of Jesus the vine. At the beginning of our understanding of this text we need to ask the Holy Spirit, for he is God’s truth, Jn 14:17, and he instructs us and reminds us of all that Jesus told us, Jn 14:26. He is our “life director,” not just our choir director. Each of us is gifted and empowered to play our role in building up the body of Christ, the church and the world.

Like Psalm 23 on the role of the Good Shepherd, this text of the vine is very enlightening and clear. Jesus is the vine, like a grape vine. His Father, our God, is the vine grower. The Father prunes away barren or dead branches to be thrown away and burned. The good and life-bearing branches he trims clean so they can bear more fruit. Jesus said if we remain in him and he in us we shall bear fruit abundantly.

Stay connected

This passage and that of the second reading, 1 John 3, say similar things. It is not enough to voice a belief in Jesus. “Oh yes, I know Jesus and say a prayer now and then.” That does not bear fruit. That “branch” is not connected to the vine. It does not give us God power to help others and ultimately get us into heaven. Our faith must come alive with good works for others. Love God and your neighbor.

The sap of life-giving juice from the vine must be flowing in us first through a daily personal relationship with God in our daily prayer life. God gives us 24 hours of life each day. Can we spend some time thanking, praising and worshiping him daily?

Divine fuel

The more we pray, the closer we get to God and the more divine power fills us up and flows out of us to others. It is like going to the gas station to fill up our tank so our vehicle will get us around.

Holy Spirit, we thank and praise you for all you have given us. Please, fill us with all the graces we need to live your abundant life today. Peace and all good for today and this coming week.

Blessings,

• Fr. Bob Hilz
  (© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)