1 May 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

TOPIC: CAN YOU ENTRUST YOUR LIFE TO GOD’S PRUNING HANDS?

First Reading: Acts 15: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 122: 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Alleluia: John 15: 4a, 5b
Gospel: John 15: 1-8
Proper Gospel for Joseph: Matthew 13: 54-58

In today's Gospel reading, the word “remain” is repeated eight times, making the decision of "remaining" of immense consequence. To remain means pursuing and keeping a relationship no matter what the cost, aware that we cannot go to it alone in our spiritual lives. We tend to think that we can serve God without the need for an active relationship with Him, or even to be responsible and accountable to their fellowmen. Dependency and inter-relatedness are rarely valued when individualism becomes the norm. Translated into our spiritual life, these attitudes forego any invitation to be reliant on God alone.

Reliance on the Vine is never an easy decision. In choosing between remaining or departing from the Vine, it is truly an all-or-nothing proposal. The Vine Grower deals with the branches in a manner that will alter the very core of their being. Jesus reminds us that “every branch that bears fruit, He prunes to make it bear more fruit”.

This is the 1465th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Raymond Bucu, South Asia Regional Coordinator and Provincial Area Head of Bataan, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You