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 Thursday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Wednesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Tuesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Memorial Day
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Homily for Saturday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Friday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost
Homily for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter
Homily for Friday of the 7th Week of Easter
Homily for Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
Homily for Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
Homily for the Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle
Homily for Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
Homily for the 7th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
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