In this section of John’s Gospel we find Jesus, having just finished the Last Supper, explaining to his closest friends what he expected of them and helping them to understand what he had taught them. He tells them that they are intimately connected to him, like vines to a branch, it is from him that they draw their very sustenance, their life. They have life in and through him. He tells them they have already been pruned and will bear great fruit. He tells them to remain in him as he remains in them!
What a wonderful image to ponder, this indwelling of Christ. In the verse that comes immediately following the final verse we heard in today’s reading Jesus says “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love”. These are amazing images of love and intimacy being shared between Jesus and his disciples, as he knows his life with them is about to change dramatically. He tells them that they will be able to continue on and they are ready to produce great fruit and that they are connected to one another and to him, and will always remain so.
n the first reading we heard of some of the fruit that born of these relationships and this enduring presence but we also know that there were great struggles as well, in the midst of the presence of the Risen One. The disciples were human and they argued and disagreed and still they produced great fruit. Even in the midst of human weakness and failures Christ’s presence has the power to save us from ourselves!
How or when have I let the power of Christ’s presence within me shine through, guiding my thoughts and actions? What pruning might I need to have done to make my life more Christ centered, that I might abide in his love more fully?
Easter Blessings,
Fr. Tim
What a wonderful image to ponder, this indwelling of Christ. In the verse that comes immediately following the final verse we heard in today’s reading Jesus says “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love”. These are amazing images of love and intimacy being shared between Jesus and his disciples, as he knows his life with them is about to change dramatically. He tells them that they will be able to continue on and they are ready to produce great fruit and that they are connected to one another and to him, and will always remain so.
n the first reading we heard of some of the fruit that born of these relationships and this enduring presence but we also know that there were great struggles as well, in the midst of the presence of the Risen One. The disciples were human and they argued and disagreed and still they produced great fruit. Even in the midst of human weakness and failures Christ’s presence has the power to save us from ourselves!
How or when have I let the power of Christ’s presence within me shine through, guiding my thoughts and actions? What pruning might I need to have done to make my life more Christ centered, that I might abide in his love more fully?
Easter Blessings,
Fr. Tim
RSS Feed
