A WORD FOR TODAY 2 MAY 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*ABIDE IN CHRIST AND BEAR FRUITS OF LOVE FOR HIM

_"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)_

_*It is said sometimes that what you give your heart to, controls you. Sometimes, when you feed your mind with a particular idea and philosophy, it becomes the force or rule that conditions your behaviour.*_

_When Saul was filled with with hatred and bitterness for the Christians, he made every effort to persecute them and kill them, but when when his heart was purged from evil and filled with God's love through his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus, he was transformed and he began to proclaim the message of love._

_*In the first reading of today we see how Barnabas became the link through which Saul was admitted into the college of apostles. They were afraid of him, because they did not know if his change was real, but Barnabas gave them the assurance that it was and he was able to use his gifts for the good of souls. Barnabas has love in his heart and he shared it with Saul by way of encouragement and the result was great, because many came to be admitted into the body of Christ through the ministry of Saul.*_

_St. John in the second reading tells us not to love just in words, but in action and in truth. When we keep God's commandment, we Abide in Him and when we Abide in Him, we shall bear lasting fruits of love for Him._

_*To Abide in Jesus is to be connected to Him as the source of our life. If we are in Him, we must surely bear fruits of peace, love, joy, empathy, kindness, forgiveness, justice, compassion e.t.c., but if we cut off ourself from Him, we will not have the power to bear good fruits, instead we shall bear the fruits of gossip, bitterness, anger, hatred, selfishness, envy, grudges and so on.*_

_Whatever or whoever is controlling you on the inside will determine what your outward behaviour will be. If we are deeply connected to Jesus, it will be shown practically in the things we do and in the way we treat others even those who may have hurt us in the past._

_*Without Jesus we are nothing and we cannot achieve anything meaningful in this life if we abandon Him. We must Abide in Him on a daily basis if we intend to produce lasting fruits for Him as His children. He is the vine and the Father is the vinedresser and we are the branches. Our effort everyday should be to continue to be attached to the vine so as to continue to shine and glow in His name, for if we cut off from Him we shall wither and become useless, but if we remain in Him we will blossom, bear fruits and become useful instruments of love and transformation in our world.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin this day and do have a wonderful Sunday. May Jesus give you the grace to Abide in Him and bear fruits of love in His name. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Acts 9:26-31/Psalm 22:26-32/1 John 3:18-24/John 15:1-8

*Watch-Word:* He who abides in me will bear much fruits.

_*The strength to bear fruits for God comes from Jesus. Therefore, Abide in Him and you will have the nourishment to blossom and shine.*_

(Fifth Sunday of Easter. Cycle B)