Readings:
Acts 15:1-6
Psalm 122:1-5
John 15:1-8
Here is a little story:
A little old lady goes to the doctor and says, “Doctor, I have this problem with gas but it really doesn’t bother me too much because they never smell and are always silent. As a matter of fact, I have farted at least 20 times since I have been here in your office.” The doctor says, “I see. Take these pills and come back to see me next week.”
The next week, the lady goes back to his office. “Doctor,” she says, “I don’t know what you gave me but now my farts although still silent stink terribly.” The doctor says, “Good. Now that we have cleared your blocked nostrils, let us work on your hearing.” We are created to be fruitful. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Fruitfulness here refers to the virtues which the Holy Spirit enables us to produce as evidence of our relationship and union with Christ. They are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
These fruits are the foundation stones on which human character, emotions, thoughts, relationships and actions are grounded. We fail to bear these desired fruits when we cut ourselves off from Christ. Our human condition (just like the old lady) makes us oblivious to the fact that if we are not productive, we are doing harm to ourselves and to others. The rotten fruits (Saint Paul calls them “works of the flesh”) that we bear are also evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, riotous behaviour, and other things like these. Those who do such things do not have a place in God’s kingdom.
How then do we clear up the obstacles to our fruitfulness in our vocation as Christians living in this day and age?
Examine your conscience daily for sinful habits and repent of them
Regularly Confess your sins and take the Eucharist
Read a portion of Scripture daily and fill your mind with the right motivation
Spend some minutes of your day in silent meditation (Block out every noise and be aware of God’s presence)
Serve others with your gifts (If you are good at serving, money will follow)
Forgive quickly and resolve misunderstandings as soon as possible
Remember that you shall render an account for everything you have ever said or done to God.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Praise ye the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul.
While I live will I praise the Lord. I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
May God grant me fruitfulness in every aspect of my life and prosper the works of my hands in Jesus’ name.
Lord, I am sorry for my many sins. I am sorry for the times I have aligned myself with evil in my thoughts, words and actions and turned away from your mercy.
Give me deep contrition for my many and grievous sins and strengthen me to love you and never be separated from you.
Dear Lord Jesus, help me by your grace to cut ties with sins allure and entanglement. Help me to see how much you have loved me in shedding your blood for my sins.
Lord unite Christian homes with your love, and mercy and give all the power to forgive each other, in Jesus' name.
Lord grant our children, youths and young adults the power to be focused and the boldness to reject evil practices, in Jesus’ name.
Lord in your mercy and love, unite the body of Christ to harmoniously preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to the ends of the world, in Jesus' name.
Father use the situation in nations of the world to populate your kingdom, in Jesus' name.
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