“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. John 15:1-17
Questions for Reflection:
- With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, what does it share with you about who Christ is (attributes, actions and promises)?
- With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, what does it share with you about who you are or could be (identify sins or virtues)?
- With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, what does it prompt you to confess?
- With this story guiding your heart and mind to the heart and mind of Christ, how does it prompt you to pray (for yourself and for others)?
Prayer for Week 3 of Lent:
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Fasting:
There are plenty of health benefits to fasting, though there are also risks so please be attentive to yourself if you’re fasting from food. Among the benefits is improved metabolic function. One of the spiritual benefits of fasting is that it is an act of discipleship. The Christian faith has long held that simply because you want some- thing certainly does not mean you need it, and just because you’re drawn to it absolutely does not mean it’s good for you. We fast as a discipline to train our bodies, our hearts and our minds to say “no” to the things that aren’t beneficial to us in mind, body, and spirit. The Apostle Paul says things like “Put to death therefore whatever in you is earthly…” and Jesus says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” The choice removal of a habit in our lives is a training ground for withholding from any of those things that are toxic to our life with Christ.
