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Gospel Reading for May 21, 2025 – John 15: 1-8
CONDEMNED
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.”
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We can live very fruitful and truly meaningful lives that will lead to eternal life if our relationship with Jesus is such that he is the vine and we are the branches. As a branch cannot survive if it is detached from the vine, we cannot be detached from Jesus every once in a while or when we wish to stray from him so we can do as the devil pleases. Our relationship with Jesus needs to be nurtured in order to survive trials and difficulties. We are sure to survive if we remain steadfast as his branches because the Father himself, who is the vine grower will make sure of this.
As Jesus said, a branch that does not remain with the vine will be thrown into the fire and get burned. If we choose to stray from him, then we have CONDEMNED ourselves. As is often said, “Life is what you make it.”
Lord Jesus, may we always remain attached to you and live fruitful lives so we may be gifts to the rest of humanity!
