Scripture:
Acts 15:1-6
John 15:1-8
Reflection:
"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 every one that does, he prunes so that it bears more fruit."
As an amateur gardener, I find great joy, and put much energy, in the awakening of my garden from its winter slumber. There is something spiritually fulfilling about nurturing plants to life, and then standing back to watch them bear fruit. As a gardener, I welcome my role as steward, charged with guiding and directing my little piece of earth.
As I read today’s gospel, it was not difficult to embrace the importance of Jesus’ words. Just as we feed and nurture our gardens, so should we feed and nurture our souls. If left unattended by half-hearted commitment and contradiction it will certainly wither. In the true vine, we will find strength, to shed the non-productive and diseased. If cared for and fed with the love of God, our souls will be forever enriched with joy and hope, increasing the yield and quality of our lives and those who surround us. As we welcome our roles this spring as stewards to the earth, so should we embrace and steward our relationships with the vine.
Angela Kwasinski is the Director of Donor Relations for the Holy Cross Province Development Office.