In our Gospel reading today, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and its branches to refer to Himself and His people, and He refers to pruning away those branches that don’t bear fruit. This pruning can refer to many things because there are many things that we need to prune, not only from the vine but from ourselves, the branches.
We need to be pruned of those things that keep us from those two essential commandments: to believe in and love God and to love one another as Jesus commanded.
We need to prune away those things that prevent our faith from fruition in our lives and in our souls.
Each of us will have different needs for pruning. It could be our pride, selfishness, materialistic desires, negative thoughts, or unhealthy relationships. But we can be sure that all of us, by virtue of our human nature, need to remove these perceptions, prejudices, judgments, and attitudes that keep our faith from fruition.
So, let us take some time in prayer to ask ourselves what prevents us from keeping those two most important commandments, and let us resolve to prune those things from our lives.
Homily for Tuesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for Saturday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua
Homily for Wednesday of the the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle
Homily for Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Homily for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
Homily for Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, Martyrs
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Homily for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Homily for Thursday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
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