Abide in the Lord and bear fruit

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.”

Jesus must love that little word “abide,” as it is used 8 times in this Gospel. What a simple yet awesome word for our reflection in these last days of April.

To abide means to stop and relax, grow, enjoy where you are, and not rush off in mind or body elsewhere! I don’t have to be always on the go!

Grapes mature simply by being on the vine; they don’t have to work to blossom and ripen. The same is true for each one of us in faith and life. Simply being with Jesus should be enough, and it will help us bear much fruit and become His disciples.

Spring has completely sprung and we are in the beauty of God’s creation; both natural beauty and human beauty. The light and love of friends, the beauty of art and music and new life returns to the earth and trees and bushes. Indeed, Spring abides with the loving new life and light of the Lord in great abundance! What once appeared dead begins to stir. There is a new surge of invigorating activity for humans, creatures and vegetation. Love, life and freedom are in the air! It is a jubilant time to abide with the Lord.

Our Scripture Readings recount the infancy of the early church from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Paul shows that he is in Christ and Christ is in him and so they abide together! From St. John in our second reading, we read, “This is His commandment; that we may believe in Him.” We renewed our Baptismal Promises on Easter, so that we might continue to grow and share our faith both abiding in the Lord and showing faith by word and deed.

As St. Paul was grafted on the vine after his conversion, and abides in Christ, so now we too must bear much fruit and be strengthened by prayer and action done in faith. Jesus tells the disciples and us, “remain in Me,” as He will remain in us. Do not let this connection wither, but pray and put your faith daily into action.

We must keep His commandments and the Works of Mercy, and thus, by love of God and Neighbor, we will abide in Him. These final days of April are a good time to prune away withered or dead branches of sin and selfishness and bear Christ-like fruit. To listen and act on the word of God, as did St. Joseph that we honor on May first, is a great way to abide in the Lord and bear much fruit.

Remember, God needs us for the vine cannot flourish without the grower’s care and loving attention but neither can the grower earn his living without the vine. YOU are an important vine, and must abide in Him.

“I’m afraid to start first grade,” said a young kindergartener.

“I’m worried about making new friends,” said the young man at college orientation.

“I am much too selfcentered, cynical, eccentric and edgy to raise a baby,” said a fearful, expectant mother. The only real difference between anxiety and excitement is a willingness to let go of fear. This week, let fear go and let God abide in love and trust within you.

And remember, this fear too shall pass. The speed of its going is up to you.