Breaking the Word

5^th Week in Easter Time, Thursday – 19^th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 15,9-11

Obedience as an Expression of Love

Jesus’ ministry has been always according to the will of God the Father. That is, whatever Jesus did, He did in submission to the Father (Jn 5,19). The love which God the Father has for Jesus is the same love that Jesus has expressed and shown for his disciples. It is a love that is unconditional, a love without end. Jesus passed on this love of God to us, and we, the disciples, ought to continue to transmit that love in the same manner as Jesus in order to make this love visible. The means by which we do that is the same as Christ did: Obedience. When Jesus says “remain in my love,” He doesn’t mean to take rest in knowledge that Jesus loves us (Heb 4,15-16). He also means that we are actively involved in giving this love to others, which requires to obey His teachings (Jn 14,15; 15,10).

5^th week in Easter Time, Wednesday – 18^th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 15,1-8

Disciplined Disciple

Pruning is essential preparation for bearing fruit. Imagine a grapevine that is overgrown with old or broken branches. Without pruning, it grows wild and it bears tiny grapes. God acts in his capacity as vine dresser and does what is best for the vine. The vine dresser prunes the productive branches and removes the lifeless branches. The reason to cut away branches that will not produce any fruit is that it robs the fruitful parts of branches from the much-needed nutrients. This pruning of the branches is not meant to be restrictive or punitive, but to be life-giving. God “prunes” his disciples through his Word. Notice how closely the word “discipline” is to “disciple”. To be a disciple is to be obedient. The disciples have been given an insight through scriptures how they must remain united with the vine. God reinforces our good actions and habits and patiently persuades us from our sinful actions and habits.  God’s word that is two-edged sword gently prunes the unfruitful parts of our life, especially those actions that prevents us from bearing fruit.