Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 2, 2021 •
We dwell in Him the same way He dwells in us - by making a sacrificial offering of ourselves. How do we do that? The readings tell us very clearly: by following God's commandments. That alone is the sacrifice we need to make. Though, that's not easy. But what will happen if He remains in us and we remain in Him? Like this vine and branches, we will bear much fruit....
He's talking about spiritual fruit. It's the same as physical fruit in the sense that it provides nourishment to the people around you. That's the fruit that we produce in Christ. Our family, our friends, our coworkers, society itself, they begin to nourish themselves on the fruit that we produce.
And when you see society starving spiritually, whose fault is that? It's our fault.
More than anyone, it's the bishops and the priests because we are the leaders, those with the authority and the power of the Sacraments. But after us? It's the lay Catholics fault.
Only you, who have the fullness of the faith and the Sacraments, can truly bear all of the fruit necessary for society.
What would this fruit look like if it was being provided? ...
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.
Do you have what it takes to bear this fruit? (hint: if you're Confirmed, the answer is Yes.)
Acts 9:26-31; Ps 2:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32; 1 Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8
Homily begins at 23:22