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 Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day)
Homily for the Solemnity of All Saints
Homily for Tuesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles
Homily for Friday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist
Homily for the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch
Homily for Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
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