Fifth Sunday of Easter ~ Remain In Me

Well, once again, God has provided fitting scripture for another milestone of our parish community.  Today, we celebrate with our high school seniors to honor and support them as they prepare to graduate from high school.   Life after Graduation is marked with a multitude of emotions for both the parents, and the teen who must learn how to become a young adult in today’s world.

We know that while scripture was written to a specific audience, it is at the same time speaking to us today in Northeast Ohio in the year of our Lord 2015.  I pray that all who read this blog are strengthened in their faith as I address the Class of 2015.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I hope that you pay heed to the words of Jesus Christ when he says to us “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.”     John 15:4

YOU are the first class to which I taught Sacramental preparation.  I remember being scared out of my mind with the weight of that responsibility.  Just as I wanted to be sure that you were prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time, I want to be sure that you are armed with the knowledge of your Catholic faith as you walk onto the path of your adult life.

He is the vine – you are the branch.  Remember this little song “He’s the vine and we’re the branches, he’s the vine and we’re the branches, he’s the vine and we’re the branches, and that’s why we’re bananas for the Lord.” 

You will meet others, as no doubt you already have, who have no idea who Jesus Christ is or have heard how he suffered, died and rose so that we might enjoy eternal life.  Throughout your lifetime, you will come across people who will question your beliefs.  My prayer for you is that you REMAIN IN JESUS, AND ALLOW HIM TO REMAIN IN YOU. 

Count for a minute how many times you may have said to your parents, “Why do we have to go to Church?”  You must now look in the mirror and ask yourself, “How am I going to remain in Jesus and allow him to remain in me.”  It is solely your choice whether to stay attached to the vine or reject the vine. Every adult faces this same question.  I want you to remember when you make this choice every day, the rest of the scripture verse “a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine.”  I bear witness to you that a life connected to the vine brings joy beyond measure.  Being connected to the vine gives strength that is needed to survive the hardships of life. 

My friends, just as it is necessary to attend college or a trade school to learn skills and gain knowledge for your future, it is necessary to remain connected to the Church to help you stay connected to the vine.  It is not the Church who makes this command; it is our very God who asks this of us, for it is written, “Keep holy the Sabbath.”  When you make the choice to love others, to serve others and to keep holy the Sabbath, you glorify the God who created you, and you will be rewarded with gifts beyond your imagination. 

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.  By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

John 15:7-8

Know this, I love you because God loved you into being, and know that I am here should you need me.

Shalom,

Tina