Nothing could have prepared us for the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Journal of Infectious Diseases reported 5,000 deaths per population of 100,000 doctors and nurses.

The IMF estimates that the global economy shrunk by 4.4 percent in 2020, the decline being the worst since the 1930 Great Depression. Political leaders found themselves powerless. Donald Trump of the U.S., Emmanuel Macron of France, and Boris Johnson of Britain tested positive to the virus, to name a few.

Millions of the faithful struggled with the shutdown of centuries-old religious ceremonies and services. Our own family was prevented from meeting our newborn grandson, Porfirio Jack, in the U.S. We begged the Lord for His mercy: Lord, what are we to do?

The vaccines finally came and sparked hope. God’s message: “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Mari Sison-Garcia (mari_sison_garcia@yahoo.com)

reflect

“Don’t depend too much on anyone in this world because even your own shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.” (Ibn Taymiyyah)

Lord, there are so many things going in our world. I can’t do it without You.

Saint John I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

To be circumcised or not to be circumcised—this was the question. It was eventually decided that it was not necessary for salvation. It was only a sign of the Old Covenant made with Abraham. The critical point is not physical circumcision but the circumcision of the heart. Has all sin been cut off from your heart and life? This is the question that needs to be answered in the affirmative.

¹ Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” ² Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question. ³ They were sent on their journey by the Church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brethren. ⁴ When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. ⁵ But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.” ⁶ The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

¹ I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” ² And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) ³ Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. ⁴ To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. ⁵ In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R)

Gospel | John 15:1-8

A gardener knows that pruning a fruit tree will maximize its harvest. The same is true for us. If we desire to bear fruit for God’s Kingdom, then we need to allow the Father, through the Holy Spirit, to reveal the things in our lives that need to be pruned away and thrown into the fire to be burned.

Gospel Acclamation

Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.

¹ Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. ² He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. ³ You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 CHRONICLES 7 - 9 today.

Some years ago, a selfie posted by Arnold Schwarzenegger became viral. It was a picture of himself taken while camping out in front of his statue near the posh hotel that used to welcome him warmly—for free—when he was the “governator.” While he was “somebody” well-connected, so to speak, he was treated like royalty. But it is obviously different now that he no longer is. He had long been cut off from the vine of political culture, where there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

As a priest and one who has held various positions of leadership, I, too, have had a similar experience. For as long as you hold office and exercise some power over others, you are treated nicely. One’s birthday would always be fussed about by everyone, and gifts can be overflowing. For an introvert like me, it was difficult to keep up with all the attention. I knew right from day one that it was not meant to last forever.

However, we can safely say—stay connected and you stay protected. Why, even your annual comprehensive insurance is covered for while you are part of the organization. Get disconnected and life begins to be a little more uncertain, a lot more complicated in many ways, and filled with a lot more worries that one didn’t have to think about while it all lasted.

But today, the Lord would like us to go deeper. If the physical world demands connection, all the more is that intimate connection needed between us and the Lord. The connection He speaks about is something more than a bona fide ID or piece of paper that certifies one’s status of employment or belongingness to the fold. This connection, more than relating to employment matters, really has to do with life matters.

The words and images used, repetitive and redundant (both words mean the same, for emphasis!), all point to the importance of this intimate relationship with the Lord. We would do well to heed His warning: “Without me you can do nothing.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection questions

How connected are you with the Lord? Do you enjoy this connection?

What matters most to me, Lord, is my connection with You. May I always nurture this.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________