Faith Daily | 19 May 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 512

Saving God,

who called your Church to witness

that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:

help us so to proclaim the good news of your love,

that all who heart it may be reconciled to you;

through him who died for us and rose again

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: John 15: 8-11

8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 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. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Allan Bell

I recently attended a Parish Planning session where we were asked to identify our parish values and strengths ahead of prioritizing and discussing how we resource these in the future.

The first verse in this passage strikes me as a short summary of what Jesus would have put on such a list if called to a planning day for the future church. Firstly, he would have called on the church to glorify God, His Father, through worship, works and discipleship. Secondly, God wants us to bear much Christian fruit. This fruit is produced in us, the Church, by the Spirit Christ gives us. Galatians 5 22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Generosity is one other important Christian value that was added to this list at the Parish planning session. Finally, we are called to be disciples of Jesus: to lead, teach and bring others to understand and worship Him. It is through being disciples that we bear fruit and glorify God. One way to be an active disciple is to participate in one of the many parish lay ministries or to join a small group to grow and share your love of Jesus and to encourage others to do likewise.

Jesus then encourages us to keep his commandments so we will abide in his love as he abides in God’s love. Abiding is the secret to bearing fruit for Christ. Together in God’s love we can receive the complete joy that only being disciples of Jesus can bring.

FINAL PRAYER

Father, help us to long for the glory of your presence, and to bear much fruit in your name. I pray that you help us to share your abiding love and glory with others, and especially that we may be worthy disciples! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.