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If we are really concerned simply with God, then we shall not object to having our senses pampered from time to time, but equally we shall not mind being left without consolations. The substance of all perfection is precisely a good will, consisting essentially in a "meek stirring of love."
- Simon Tugwell, Ways of Imperfection, chapter on "The Cloud of Unknowing"
(Offer your will and your life to God today, with no strings attached.)
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Acts 15:1-6; Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Jn 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“No more than a branch can bear fruit of itself apart from the vine, can you bear fruit apart from Me.” —John 15:4
The first words God said to newly created humanity were: “Be fertile and multiply” (Gn 1:28). Among Jesus’ last words before His Ascension were: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name ‘of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’ ” (Mt 28:19). Immediately before His Ascension, Jesus commanded us to be His witnesses “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts
1:8).
Jesus expects us to produce abundantly as branches on the Vine, or else we will be “picked up to be thrown in the fire and burnt” (Jn 15:6). Even fruitful branches the Lord “trims clean to increase their yield” (Jn 15:2). The Lord makes it extremely clear we must bear fruit by leading people to Him. Christians bear fruit by making more Christians. During the first Easter season, the apostles were transformed from
being fruitless to being fruitful. Expect the same transformation in your life this Easter season and Pentecost. Jesus proclaimed: “My Father has been glorified in your bearing much fruit and becoming My disciples” (Jn 15:8). “Make disciples” (Mt 28:19).
Prayer: Risen Jesus, the only answer for a sinful, sick, broken, and unforgiving world is conversion to You. May I bear fruit for Your kingdom. Trim me.
Promise: “The church saw them off and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling everyone about the conversion of the Gentiles as they went. Their story caused great joy.” —Acts 15:3
Presentation Ministries
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Poems from the Little Flower of Jesus: Saint Therese of Lisieux
- by Athanasius Press, 2018
Part One: To Live of Love
"If any man love Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. . . My peace I give unto you . . . Abide in My love."
(St. John 14:23, 27, -- 15:9)
1.
The eve His life of love drew near its end,
Thus Jesus spoke: "Whoever loveth Me,
And keeps My word as Mine own faithful friend,
My Father, then and I his guests will be;
Within his heart will make Our dwelling above.
Our palace home, true type of heaven above.
There, filled with peace, We will that he shall rest,
With us, in love.
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Paperback
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