HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK OF EASTER
THEME: VINE AND BRANCHES
BY: Fr Gerald M. Musa
HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 18 2022
Connection’ is a buzzword in the digital world. No one wants to suffer the inconvenience of disconnection from communication a network. Jesus describes the importance of connection in the spiritual realm when He says, “I am the Vine and you are the branches” (John 15:5). This means Jesus is the Vine and each believer or community of believers are the branches. These branches can survive only when they stay connected to the source, which is Jesus, the Vine. Hudson Taylor, who was a zealous missionary says: “The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.” Jesus explains what God, the vine grower does: “Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Pruning means trimming to make the vine more productive. Likewise, God trims us through afflictions and suffering to renew us and make us more fruitful. We can abide with the Vine through the Holy Eucharist (Communion) and through a deep prayer life. As branches, what efforts do we make to stay connected with the Vine?
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 15:1-6; GOSPEL JOHN 15:1-8 Wednesday, 5th Week of Easter