A branch with the Tree, always grows

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 28th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Jn 15:1-8*

*First Reading : Rom 8:22-27*

*A branch with the Tree, always grows*

*1) Vine and the Branches*

In today's Gospel Jesus gives us the imagery of vine and the branches 

Jesus says *I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit*

This imagery shows us the importance of being united with the vine and also the effect of this unity 

*2) Branch with the Vine always grows*

It is our life experience that any branch united with the tree always grows 

A branch united with the tree, has life, growth and finally the fruits 

A Branch which is not united with the tree, neither it can have life nor growth or the fruits 

*3) A branch can't remain idle*

It is our experience, that a branch which is united with the tree, can't remain idle 

It can't say, I don't want to grow, or don't want have life and fruit 

It is against the nature of the branch to say no to life, growth and to the fruits 

Such a branch does exist in reality and it can't remain with the tree

*4) Jesus is the vine and we are the branches*

Our role is at the level of branches 

Branches are supposed to remain with the vine if they want to have life, growth, and fruits 

Being united with the vine one can't say, I don't want to have this particular thing of the tree in my life. Such a choice goes against the nature of the unity between vine and the branches 

*5) Tragedy of our life*

The vine has the following things 

Cross

Challenges

Difficulties

Sacrifice

Sharing

Generosity

Service 

Forgiveness

Giving 

Humiliation

Rejection

Suffering

So the branch can't say that I don't want to have the above mentioned things 

*6) Being the Branch we choose from the tree*

All of us do this particular mistake 

Many of the things which are part and parcel of the vine we don't want to accept 

We want to avoid all those difficult things and want to choose only those which are easy or which we think that they will make our life comfortable

But in reality, as a branch we can't choose or we can't reject whatever comes from the tree

If so, as a branch, how do I live my life? 

Am I going against the nature and contradicting myself? 

Is my union with the vine a genuine or artificial??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*