From JOHN 15 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 every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
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,
…By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
We Catholic Christians are supposed to be fruitful people, bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Let’s be fruity.
We aren’t talking about apples, pears, pomegranates, peaches, berries, grapes and plums. We are talking Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Generosity, Modesty, Self-Control and Continence. That is the Twelve Fruits of the Spirit.
Which fruits are evident in you? Which ones have a hard time growing in you? Are you desiring Christ Jesus so much in you that the Spirit hears your yes and ascent to God’s will to be done in you?
Jesus says He is the Source or “Vine” for us to get these blessed dozen fruits. He also says that He sends His Spirit in that we bear these fruits and become disciples after Him and bear lives pleasing to the Heavenly Father.
When we desire intimacy with God, then it is that we are desiring to “remain” or “abide” or “keep close” with Christ in our living. He is the wondrous life in us that will show forth evidence of goodness or peace or self-control or faithfulness. We cling to Him, the Vine, and this fruit comes forth, if we have authentic lives of faith in Him.
Thirty years a music artist was playful in his lyrics with John 15, singing “He is Divine, we are de’ branch, He’d like to give life thru’ ya’ if you give Him the chance. ‘Just pray that you’re blessed, take the pruning, the tests, and He’ll take care of the rest.”
Grapes are one of the Lord’s favorite fruits and images, and about 18 months ago I visited a vineyard and observed the vines and evidence of pruning and cutting and picking and squeezing the grape, cultivating it, storing it, and then presenting it to be wine. It was in the famed NAPA valley of California. I suppose the vineyard workers there could present a best lesson on how this John 15 lesson applies to us, but basically, it may come down to this: Surely are you willing to be pruned and cut, along in life, so as to bear more fruit? What would have you not want to be fruitful in the Spirit? Is fidelity (faithfulness) or modesty too hard? Is love/charity too challenging? Sure, it can be.
It’s best to pray in the Holy Spirit of Jesus to be the person God wants us to be, and to hope to bear much fruit in being the Lord’s disciple. That’s what St. Paul told the Galatians. In chapter 5, you can especially read how Paul is promoting God’s fruit in their lives.
Take a look at that chapter, and then maybe it can inspire you to use this prayer exercise below for your preparation for Pentecost Sunday.
Nine Days of Prayer for Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
START “Lord, I pray for a fruitful life in Your Spirit, as in things described in Galatians 5 and in St. John chapter 15 and 16 (5th Sunday of Easter), about our need to be united as many branches to the Vine, Who is Christ Jesus our LORD. O Lord, You are Life itself. You give us Your Spirit that we may live according to Your Ways. It is the fruitful life in the Spirit. . As St. Paul exhorted those Christians in Galatia, so do I pray as one in response to that call to fruitfulness or fecundity in You for my spiritual wellness. Amen.
PART TWO . .
Use one of the below a day, going from asking for Charity/Love and all the way to Day 9 for modesty, self-control and continence/chastity.
First and foremost, may I bear fruit in √charity, for like St. Paul says, for “without it, I am nothing, but if I am led by Your love, I shall not fail and this love shall never come to an end.” (1 Cor. 13) Secondly, may I bear fruit in √joy of faith and life, as in the fulfillment of a beatitude-centered life (Mt. 5). Pope Francis encourages in his letter, “Joy of the Gospel,” for all Catholics to show this fruit forth. May I be such a believer, that Your joy may be in me. Thirdly, May I bear fruit in √peace, the kind that passes all understanding, since it is holy, and engaged in the reign of Christ on the earth. Fourthly, may I bear fruit in √patience, that waits on You, Lord, by trusting Your providence and believing upon Your timing. Fifthly, may I bear fruit in √kindness, in turning back the hostile, divided and hateful spirit of the times, to rather be benign and benevolent, as so to welcome Your Presence. Yours is a kindly spirit, so says Wisdom in the Word. Sixthly, may I bear fruit in √goodness, and never be ashamed to witness to an honest-to-God lifestyle, but really to delight in Your ways rising up in me. Seventhly, may I bear fruit in √generosity, in having a selfless kind of spirit and a big-hearted one like so many saints have shown of the Savior living within them. Eighthly, may I bear fruit in √gentleness, in exhibiting a mild character like Jesus to my being, not needing wild living to entertain myself as the world does. Ninethly, may I bear fruit in √faith, in a fruit of realizing of how I am an embodied soul, and that the soul should lead the flesh, even while I am meant to live bodily in this world, but never as just flesh alone anymore, since I am of the Lord’s Body now and made anew—called to pray and act from the heart and from an illumined mind of reason. And, lastly, may I bear fruit in √modesty, √self-control, and √chastity, as in a counter-cultural lifestyle that differs from the fallen world and of its secular humanism—of that society today made of people who fight to be first, and to be in control, and to be satiated in lust and other capital sins. O Jesus, I know how You fought against such perils in the wilderness temptations, by relying on the Spirit.
PART THREE—FINAL PRAYER OF THE DAY.
So, Lord God, I pray to be fruitful in my Catholic faith. May I be a Psalm One person, as like “a tree as planted by the Water Stream (Spirit), in whose leaves do stay evergreen, and whose branches ever bear fruit, as in a life following the righteous path, therefore not walking in step by the wicked, nor standing with the way of sinners, nor sitting in the company of scoffers.” I want this life. I want to live it in my family, the Church, all to Your Glory, forever and ever. Amen.
EUCHARISTIC GLORY IN EASTER AND PENTECOST SEASONS
Applications: We have times of Eucharistic Adoration every Friday afternoon and on First Saturday mornings. Fridays are in church the Exposition is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. of quiet adoration time, leading up to the Benediction prayers at 7:30-7:45p.m. Preceding it we are outdoors, we maintain the two hours of the Eucharist being placed in exposition in our 24/7 tabernacle view window (on the east side of church) whereby one can pray from their car (facing the window) or up near the Eucharist in the window, as we have benches there (or you can bring your own portable chair). Meanwhile, confessions are held in the green-colored Vianney house from 4:30-6:25 p.m. (drive-up or walk-in). A priest confessor is there (usually Fr. Barry) and he is in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from his view there, too, when not hearing confessions. Thus, a sign-up for adoration is not required, as a priest is always present. When the 6:30 p.m. transfer of the Eucharist happens to the parish altar, then the priest does so, and a priest is assigned in church to hear confessions and is present to the Eucharist, as he is usually in the clear window St. Nicholas commons room (it’s usually our parochial vicar or in-resident priest). Sometimes the confession room is used, as well. On First Saturdays, the adoration with confessions is held from 7:30 to 8:25 a.m. before the 8:30 Mass.
Special Events: You have seen already in the bulletin about a Women’s Group Holy Hour planned for May 7th, too. (It is included again today.) As well, the parish staff and council are planning a Eucharistic Event close to June’s Body and Blood of Christ Sunday for an extended Corpus Christi Holy Hour with song. We hope you’ll come to it. It is in the works for Friday, June 7th in the evening time of 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the church, with the choir leading some Eucharist-themed song, and some message of healing and the Eucharist.
Lyrics to a Family Mass Communion Song Behold the Lamb (Matt Maher)
You are my Lord It’s you I adore// Nothing on earth could ever take your place// Your might humbles every heart–The highest of heavens bow// For nothing on earth could ever take Your place // And now we see Your sacrifice// The greatest gift; our greatest prize// Behold the Lamb of God! Behold the Lamb of God! Who takes away the sins of the world [sing 2x through] We will not forget We will stay awake// We will not abandon The promise (that’s) made// Behold the Lamb of God! Behold the Lamb of God!// Who takes away the sins of the world.// Behold the Lamb of God Behold the Lamb of God/ Who takes away the sins of the world//The sins of the world// The sins of the world
ANIMA CHRISTE PRAYER Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus hear me. Within Your wounds hide me; separated from You, let me never be. From the evil one protect me; At the hour of my death, call me; And close to You bid me; That with Your saints, I may be praising You forever and ever. Amen.