This weekend’s gospel John 15;1-8, entitled: “The Vine and the Branches.”  Christ is the vine. We are His branches.

As Christians, we assume the mantel of apostleship and the responsibility to “bear much fruit.”  To complete this, we must remain on the vine, firmly rooted in the teachings of Christ passed on to us through sacraments and nourished by the Holy Spirit. On the vine, in essence we remain in the truth of the gospel, we will be pruned and guided by the Holy Spirit to bear more and more fruit. 

Calling to mind our recent Confirmations, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). Let’s pray, that during this hopeful glow of Easter, we can live out the promise of the Resurrection and become witnesses to the Risen Christ by being fruit bearing faithful and, in every way, instruments of hope, peace and love.     

Fr. Mike Ronayne