“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:1-4).
In these few short words, Jesus explains the way to spiritual progress is through Him. Our job is to say yes, to surrender.
When we remain in Christ, we acknowledge that God is the source of all that is good, including the good that He calls me to do.
So often we struggle and make no progress… then in frustration we wonder why.
The answer is simple. What is it that I am afraid to lose? What the Lord offers is so much more than anything I have. So let go! What is it that I am afraid of? Let go!
In the image of the vine and the branches, we see clearly that our life is from the Lord. Everything that is good comes from Him. If we surrender and bear fruit, the Father will work in us to produce more. So surrender already!
Here is a translation I really like of a prayer that can help us surrender.
Suscipe (Receive) by St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.
Amen.
Christ is risen!
