Remain in me

We feel weak.

The temptations are too strong.

The work to be done is overwhelming.

Comrades have slid back into their past and away from what we have held to be true.

How can we go on?

We cannot.

But, of course, we never could.

Our wits, our willpower, and our strength will never be enough.

In today’s Gospel (John 15:1-8), our Lord and Savior, our Master and Stronghold, Invisible Head of the Church and deepest friend of our hearts, Jesus Christ, reminds us what is the only way to succeed or even survive.

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.

We cannot do it
on our own,
but all things can be done
in Jesus.

May we continue forward by the strength of Jesus,
may we become better disciples from the love of Jesus,
and sinful weaklings as we may be
may we bear abundant fruit in the name of Jesus.