Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The True Vine

My trip to Western PA -- and being generally busy since I got back -- are to blame for the lack of blogging these past few days.

For starters, I've been remiss in posting the Sunday Gospel. I heard it proclaimed at the 4 p.m. Saturday vigil Mass at my hometown parish, St. Alphonsus in McDonald, PA. I can't deny it was a well-attended liturgy. But, I'm still not certain what I think of a vigil Mass that early on a Saturday.

Sunday was the Fifth Sunday of Easter.

The Gospel was a well-known passage from John Chapter 15:

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."


Image hat-tip: A Concord Pastor, who has posted his homily for this past Sunday.

1 comment:

St Edwards Blog said...

The vigil mass at my parish is at 4pm as well; I guess I am just used to it, but I see your point. You have given me something to think about, which is always good.

My blogging highlight of the week is that I met Mike Hayes; I think you actually know him "IRL", I know you know him online! Photographic evidence of said blogger meet up is at my site should you or others care to come by.

Fran