“I am the Vine, You are the Branches."

by David Lins  |  05/02/2021  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Welcome to May in Arizona. You know what that means. Everything dies.

Starting in May...and lasting until...uh...Halloween...the temperatures go through the roof. You know. The roof we will all be hiding beneath for months on end.

Can you tell I’m not a fan of Arizona summers?

Why? I enjoy the color green. I need the outdoors. And I love it when things grow.

But there is something that can even grow in the Arizona heat. God’s children.

Today’s Gospel says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.”

How do we remain in Him? Let’s rewind to the end of the second reading. “Those who keep his commandments remain in him.”

So this summer, whether you are able to escape the heat, or are condemned to endure it - what are you going to do with it? You only have so many summers left. Are you going to - as some of my relatives like to say - fritter it away? Or will you use it to grow closer to the Lord, making every effort to keep his commandments?

I urge you, get up early and take personal prayer time. Pray that the Lord would speak to you and reveals truth to you before opening your Bible. If you can, get to daily Mass. Find out what educational programs we are running and show up.

Claim this summer as the one when there will be an abundance of growth—yours.

The Gospel ends with these words: “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Questions? Comments? Reach David at dlins@oloj.org.

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