TODAY’S WORD…

“I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear even more.”

– John 15:1-2

REFLECTION…

Christ explains that He Himself is the true vine, and that to be fruitful one must be joined to the new, true vine: to Him. We must live the life of Christ, listen to His teachings and follow His commands as we walk the life of grace with Him who is the nourishment which enables us to yield the fruit of eternal life. We cannot bear this fruit until we are grafted in with the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot receive God’s Spirit until we receive His Son.

When I receive Christ as my Saviour, I receive God’s Spirit, and begin to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)

God, who so wants me to be saved, must lovingly prune me. It is a process, which can sometimes be painful but it is, in fact, a strengthening one. We cannot continue to bear fruit without accepting to be pruned; without trusting fully in God, our caring Gardener.

There are those who, because they have no or very little faith, understanding and trust in God, see this pruning as an abhorrent process. They do not accept it, they stop bearing fruit, and they end up detached from the True Vine…with sad consequences.

PRAYER…

O God of love,

nurture me, prune me, abide in me, and enlighten me.

Enlighten me with the wisdom of Your Spirit, which flows through me today,

and grant me this grace, O Lord, every day of my life.

Amen