Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 28, 2024
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 every one 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.”
A patient came to see me recently after accidentally stabbing her hand while pitting an avocado. Hand surgeons know there’s often nerve, tendon, and sometimes arterial damage with these injuries. We can usually repair the nerve and tendon with a reasonable expectation of functional recovery. But sometimes, essential circulation is compromised, and I’ll stop there for those of you already starting to feel a bit squeamish.
Jesus’ audience would have related more to today’s vineyard scenario as well. Honestly, when I’m asked to help garden or prune trees, I’ll often change the subject or try to find something else to do. Yet I understand branches must be pruned to circulate life-sustaining nutrition properly. There is no ambiguity in this parable. Christ is seriously clear.
The challenge of this gospel, today and 2000 years ago, is how do we, as people—not branches or fingers, maintain our healthy connection to the vine that is Christ? How does our faith survive in this harsh world and empower us to deal with the challenges we face? How can we bear fruit when so many obstacles exist to sustaining hope or growing in charity?
As members of the Notre Dame family and readers of Faith ND, we’re trying to remain on the vine, aren’t we? Do we appreciate the nourishment received in the Eucharist? Do we seek additional sustenance in daily Mass? Confession? Silent time with our Lord in prayer and adoration? Perhaps retreats? Or Bible study? The rosary? Are we trying to see Christ in the sick, poor, and vulnerable and seek opportunities to be like Christ in return?
These are the life-giving ways we can remain in Christ’s love and circulate that love throughout the body of Christ. Oh, and please be careful while making guacamole.
Prayer
What a comfort for us to realize that we are not alone, for this day we are as connected to you as a branch is to the vine. We flourish because of you, for our vitality comes from you. Even as you prune us and things do not proceed as expected, we are comforted knowing that we will blossom in new ways. Thank you, God, for nurturing us each waking moment of our day. Let us never be parted from you. Amen.