 |
||||||
[Jesus
said,] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine
grower. He takes away every branch in me
that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it
bears
more fruit. You are already pruned
because of the word that I spoke to you. 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. I am the vine,
you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear
much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. ”
|
||||||
In
history, there are many people who were dedicated to the love of
others,
and because of their conviction, accepted death
rather than accept evil. Likewise in the
movie, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” one
can see love and the desire
to carry it out in Ron Weasley, in Hermione Granger, and in Harry
Potter’s own
mother as Dumbledore tells Harry in this session. Harry
Potter himself is ready to sacrifice
his own life rather than give the Sorcerer’s stone to evil. They were all ready to die on behalf of
another as a true sign of love.
|
||||||
|
If there is one word to
describe the Christian experience, what would it be? Peace?
Forgiveness? Life? There are many words that are more or less
good summaries of what Jesus Christ taught and tried to
accomplish. But probably the best word summary is the one
that may have lost its impact over the years—love. The word
is used in too many
circumstances. Christian people say that
they are a loving people, but love is often not part of their
lives. Many Christians still hate, display harmful
prejudice, carry grudges, and seek revenge.
Connected to the vine of Jesus Christ, the Christian is called to love. Because it is our commandment, we cannot just talk about it. Too many Christians say “love” and refuse to accept its consequences. They say “love” and still kill the unborn and the old. They say “love” and hate the people who do not agree with them. It is time to live up to our calling. As Professor Dumbledore says in the movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," love must leave a mark that lives in our very skins. Love must be part of our every situation. |
||||||
|
THOUGHT
Do you
agree that many Christians have not carried
out the Christian ideal of love? Yes or
no and why?
PRAYER Good and gracious God,
you want us to be
connected to your Son, and the primary way of doing it is to practice
love for
all. Help us accept this commandment
from you, and give us the grace to truly love others. Be
with us, we pray.
|
||||||
©2007
Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |
||||||