FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER B
A CHRISTIAN
JN 5; 1-8
MESSAGE
When I was young, I heard someone explain the meaning of being a Christian in this way: “I am nothing without Christ.” Today’s Gospel illustrates the essence of Christian life as our dependence on Jesus and His work of salvation. The parable of the vine and the branches emphasizes the importance of cooperation. Jesus is likened to the vine or tree that gives life to the branches, while the Father acts as the expert farmer who prunes and trims them. For the branch to be productive and fruitful, it must allow itself to be cut, twisted, and broken.
Christian life is not a declaration of independence. It is not a state of autonomy where one can freely run their life as they please. A Christian is indeed nothing without Christ. It entails yielding one’s life to Jesus and the Father in an ongoing process of attaining holiness, perfection, and salvation. While surrendering to the Lord may be painful, and obeying His challenges not always easy, failure to do so means detachment from the life-giving Vine, who is the Lord Himself.
REFLECT
If I am connected to God through prayer, service, and acts of charity, that is commendable. However, true unity with Him also involves the painful process of being taught and guided by the Church, spiritual leaders, and most importantly, the voice of the Holy Spirit. Only then can I truly be who I am meant to be – when I acknowledge that “I am nothing without Christ.”
