Jesus' invitation : Remain in me, as I remain in you.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season: Fifth Week :Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 15:4a, 5b*

*First Reading : Acts 9:26-31*

*SECOND READING - 1 Jn 3:18-24*

*Jesus' invitation : Remain in me, as I remain in you.*

*1) Jesus' Invitation*

In the Gospel of the day we have a beautiful and meaningful invitation of Jesus 

The invitation is to remain with Him. 

Remaining with him will help us to experience his divine love and intimacy, which will help us to grow in our relationship with the Lord

*2) Remain in me - Unity*

Jesus gives beautiful example of vine and beaches 

Through this example Jesus highlights the importance of unity between the vine and branch

This is also true with our relationship with Jesus. 

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches

*3) Remain in me - Fruitfulness*

This particular phrase also highlights the importance of fruitfulness. 

When the Branch is united with the vine, it produces the fruit, fruit in abundance

Like wise when we are united in the Lord, we become fruitful disciples of Jesus

*4) Remain in me : Way to salvation*

Remaining with Jesus means, trying to experience the eternal life 

Eternal life is possible only in and through Jesus. By remaining with him, definitely we are moving on the way to salvation. 

So remaining with Jesus is very important for salvation

*5) Remain in me : To serve others*

Jesus says, without me you can do nothing. So in order to carry out the mission of the Lord, one has to remain in Jesus 

Remaining with Jesus will help us to become effective in our mission 

*6) Remain in me : Payers will be answered*

Jesus says *ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.*

For this one needs to remain in Jesus. When we remain in Jesus and pray for our needs, God grants the favours which we ask from the Lord

*7) How to remain with Jesus?*

By reading the Scriptures

By celebrating the sacraments

By spending time in prayer

By serving others 

By forgiving others 

By loving others 

By sacrificing our life, time, resources for the betterment of others 

Above all, when we practice the Gospel values, when we become the followers of New Testament, when we proclaim about Jesus, we remain in Jesus

Have I remained in Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*