GOSPEL, John (15, 1-8)
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John
Jesus the True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
The vineyard symbolizes God’s relationship with each of us who produce abundant fruits with observance to the Commandments and brotherly love. (vs. 5)
Just as in the past, the Word, kept and understood, will allow us to ask for whatever we want in our prayers because it will be granted. (vs. 7) Separated from Him, we lose enthusiasm and faith as the branch separated from the vine is dried and burned. (vs.6)
“Jesus is the vine and the disciples are the branches.” (John 15, 5) This means to live a life of integrity and spiritual authenticity, above all a fruitful relationship in communion with Jesus.
The Holy Spirit guides us to the whole truth (John 16:13) and takes us to witness a love that knows no limits and allows no interruptions.
Staying in communion with the Father through love makes our prayer effective: “Ask for whatever you want, and it will be granted to you.” (Gospel: John 15: 7) Which means that a prayer that does not come from a perspective of true harmony cannot be accepted, much less answered by the Lord.
PRAYER
O God, who inserted us into Christ as branches in the true vine, give us your Spirit, so that, loving one another with sincere love, we may become first fruits of a new humanity and bear fruit of holiness and peace. Amen.