Remain In Me
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is talking to His disciples here about how they are to stay healthy in the spiritual life. He does so by using an analogy of a vine and the branches growing from it. If any branch is connected to the vine it is healthy–it will “bear much fruit.” But if any branch is disconnected from the vine, it is dead. So it is with the spiritual (interior) life. If we are connected to Jesus, we are healthy. If we are disconnected from Him, we are dead.
A wonderful modern author, Jacques Philippe, says the beginning of the interior life is the realization that apart from God we can do nothing…not “some,” not “a little,” but absolutely nothing. We can’t do good for God, our spouse, our family, the world, or even ourselves if we aren’t closely connected to God. If we want to be better spouses, parents, children, siblings…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we want to be more loving, attentive, sensitive, gentle, honest, bold…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we don’t, our efforts are a waste of time. Apart from God, we can do nothing.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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