GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.

He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,

and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.

You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.

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.”

The word of the Lord

 

Abundant Fruit.

Bearing abundant fruit—this is the Father’s plan for our marriage. And not just any fruit, but an abundance. This is what can happen if we remain in the Lord.

Now, the challenge is to remain in Him. And even while doing so, to understand that He will prune us so that we may bear even more abundant fruit.

Applied to married life:

María: Even though I have given my life to God, I still feel humiliated by you in certain situations. How long will this continue?

Pedro: First, until I learn to be more considerate towards you. And second, until our marriage bears many fruits of love. These trials are typical of a marriage that God wants to make holy. What do you think?

María: Seeing it that way, it gives me a lot of hope.

Pedro: Stay with the Lord, and you will see how joyful you become.

 

Mother,

May we never stray, even the slightest bit, from Your Immaculate Heart. Thank You! Blessed Mother.