Sunday, April 29, 2018
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Acts 9: 26-31/ Psalm 21:28,30-32 / John 3:18-24 / John 15:1-8
REMAIN IN THE LORD, ACCEPT PRUNING AND BEAR GOOD FRUITS
Beloved, St. Paul, who was a persecutor of the good news, is now a preacher of the good news. However, the people are seriously suspicious, whether he is truly converted. Barnabas, whose name means "Encouragement", made generous and dedicated efforts to let the people accept Saul. Barnabas became more or less a guarantor to Saul, should anything happen, yet, it was difficult to believe. If we also see a notorious criminal or an ardent enemy getting closer to us, we will also suspect something fishy. St. Paul's story is similar to that of Hadrat Umar Bin Khattab, the second Caliph. He became an enemy to Muslims because he hated the Islamic religion and opposed the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed and had in mind to harm Muslims who follow the teachings of Islam. When he became converted, the prophet gave him the title, " Al-Faruq", meaning one who is able to make the difference between "Right" and " Wrong ". Even though we can say there was divine intervention, it is not out of place to say that, God is capable of using any of us to do His will, no matter what. Positive change is possible, where there is the will power.
St. John in his first letter, in our today's second reading reminds us to love truly, not just by words. It is easier said than done. Many of us don't mean what we say. If we know we can't do something or fulfill a particular promise, we should not deceive God, others and ourselves. We should really walk or talk or mean what we say.
Friends, our Gospel reading last Sunday talked about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In our today's Gospel reading, Jesus says he is the True Vine, meaning, we also have false/fake/counterfeit/419 vines. Jesus says we should remain or abide in him, the true vine, if we want to bear good fruits. Let us get a bit of background to the issue of the vine, vine dresser and the branches. In the Old Testament, any time the people of Israel were attached to God, they bore good fruits, but any time they cut themselves away from God, they became arrogant, unfaithful, and looked miserable in the hands of their enemies ( Jer 2:21ff, Is 5:1-7). We can also testify to the fact that any time we get closer to God, our parents, lawful authority, trusted friends, things get better for us. A man tested his son by asking him to water a dry wood for three months, morning and evening, with the reason that if he did it faithfully, after the three months, there would be leaves and fruits. The boy watered the dry wood as he was instructed. After the three months, the boy told his father that he could neither find leaves nor fruits. The father smiled and said, the fruits and leaves of the dry wood are your obedience, dedication, patience, hope, child- like trust, etc. How many of our children will water a dry wood, morning and evening for three months continuously?
Jesus himself knew what would happen to his followers, if they got separated from him/God or from one another. Jesus also knows that some of us will be tempted to be attached to things like money, food and drink, men and women, etc, where we think we can find joy, "life" or fulfilment.
As we ourselves remain in God through prayer, His word, the Sacraments, etc, we should also be prepared to accept pruning (correction). We should cut away our bad words, actions, thoughts, character, habits and some "supposed enjoyments". This will help us to stop being addicted or attached to vices instead of virtues. Pruning/cutting away/accepting correction, can be very painful, but if it is well done or accepted, the benefits or fruits will be wonderful. Let a good or righteous person strike or reprove me, it is kindness, but let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head ( Ps 141:5). Let us pray for the Spirit of true conversion, selfless and unconditional love. We also pray for the grace to remain in God and his word, cut away vices and bear everlasting virtues or fruits. BE BLESSED.
Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878)