FRUITFUL OR BURNT BRANCHES?
Jesus is the Vine, and that makes us Christians the branches. The Lord insists that we be branches which bear fruit, not just ones with only leaves (see Mk 11:13). We become either an abundantly fruitful branch or a cut-off, burnt branch. We either bear fruit or are destroyed (see Lk 13:7).
We will bear fruit if we live in Jesus and He in us (Jn 15:5). We will bear fruit abundantly and live in Jesus if we:
- let the Lord cut out of our lives anything displeasing to Him (Jn 15:2),
- sow tears of sorrow for our sins (Ps 126:5; see also 2 Cor 7:11),
- sow bountifully in almsgiving (2 Cor 9:6), and
- die to ourselves (Jn 12:24).
In this Great Jubilee, let us pray for a new Pentecost in which the Holy Spirit will produce abundant fruit in our lives (Gal 5:22).
Oración: Father, keep me out of the fire.
Promesa: "This is how we know that He remains in us: from the Spirit that He gave us." —1 Jn 3:24
Alabanza: Praise Jesus, true Vine (Jn 15:1), Redeemer, risen Son of God!