Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Wednesday of the Fifth W eek of Easter (Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8) When astronaut Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon just after mission commander Neil Armstrong, one of the first things he said was a line from today’s gospel: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.” Then, retrieving from his spacesuit the Eucharistic host and vial of wine which he had taken from his church, he gave himself Communion. In the gospel Jesus assures his disciples that they will accomplish much if they stay close to him. Their works will be the fruit of love because his words (or commands) are centered in love. As such, they will see their people flourish and they themselves becoming wiser and stronger. We keep ourselves connected to Jesus especially by the Eucharist. Here the word of God prunes our excessive desire and fortifies our weaknesses. Here we participate in the ultimate sacrifice that frees us from the damper of sin and sets our sights on our eternal destiny.