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May 06, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Ac 9, 26-31 . 1Jn 3,18-24

Jn 1,1-8

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We have learned much about plants in our young days. From the roots, water and other nutrients pass through the trunk into the stem and branches. As the branches receive the nutrients, it makes its product - the fruits. Separated from the main trunk, the stem or branch is worthless; one is important to the other. Basic Biology.

This basic Biology is the main logic of the words of Jesus in today's Gospel: I am the true vine; you are the branches. 

Sometimes we encounter circumstances where we doubt God's presence in our lives. We scream from the bottom of our souls, waah!!! We don't know where to cling to. Black reality.

This reality is deepened in the words of the Lord:  I am the true vine. Apart from me you are nothing.

We remember at times the fact that we are going to be measured depending on the deeds we have done in this life, yet we always forget it. We continue to do failures and become a failure to others. Though sometimes we go back to God's fold thru confession, we still fall thus bringing the forgiveness we received in vain. Epic fail.

This epic fail is more expressed in Jesus' words: (My Father) takes away every branch that does not bear fruit ... people with gather them and throw them to a fire and they will be burned.

Dear friends, Jesus comes to us today as a Vine in which we are connected and sustained. Everything he did in his earthly life is done for a purpose, for us to be drawn nearer to God his Father, and to be sustained through his grace. As we have received our faith in Baptism, we form part of the big tree of salvation who is Jesus himself. We shall also come back to him once we are through with our journey here on Earth. Like a vine - or any tree - in which the stems and branches depend on the big trunk to live, we are also connected to Jesus so that we may live in holy happiness.

Through the Sacraments, we are continually nourished and guided with His Word and His Body; likewise, we are encouraged all the more to bring out Christ in our lives and so to bear fruit that would tell His favor upon us. Just as the good fruit shows the goodness of a certain tree, our good works would tell how great our God is. Though sometimes it takes years and years of perseverance for us to bear it good, still it matters since it would be counted in our favor at the last of days. Huli man at magaling, nabibilang pa din!

As we proceed with our day-to-day endeavors we are encouraged to go back to our roots, to our faith and be captivated by just how big the benefits it would give us. Yet we can still forget the importance of God in our lives that we are able to live it the other way around. A lot of us can still go back to Jesus as we repent, but there are a few who are pleased with the torn-out ways and die with it. What's life for them? I don't know.

I am the Vine, you are the branches. Without me, you can do nothing.

We now ask ourselves, are we still connected to Jesus? Do we still live as branches linked to one trunk? Or are we withered because of the presence of "I" in our lives, without placing the greater importance in God?

We are called to enliven our connection with Jesus and be serious in our one Christian life. Without him, we are nothing, so let us always stay connected to Jesus.