From the Pastor's Desk: May 2, 2021

The message of the Fifth Sunday of Easter brings the very rich image of vine and branches. It represents our relationship with Jesus - the vine - the source of our life, and us - the branches - that is His people who, grafted into Jesus, ought to bear good fruit in our lives. "I am the vine, you are the branches." That statement begs a basic yet fundamental question: “Where does a vine stop and its branches begin?” By far, I am not a fruit tree grower nor do I know much about it. Nevertheless, our fruit grove at the rectory teaches me a great lesson as I often walk through to see the condition of our trees. You may notice at first signs of separation but once the tree grows the union becomes too complete to tell. The same sap gives life to the vine and to its branches.

So, it is with the grace of God in our lives - God's own divine life is flowing through Christ and into us. He makes us branches of His own vine and at the same time offers us free will for keeping ourselves united to the vine. “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.”

So, how do we stay united to the vine, how do we exercise our free will in spite of so many choices and temptations of the popular culture as to bear fruit and share in eternal life? We stay united through prayer, sacraments, loving and humble obedience, and the desire to become the best version of ourselves and to do something beautiful for God.

Prayer is how we expose our souls to the divine sunlight. Just as plants need exposure to sunlight for energy, so we need to expose ourselves to God's truth and love through reading and reflecting on the sacred scriptures, and through conversing with Him in the quiet of our hearts.

Sacraments especially confession and Eucharist - If a branch gets damaged the gardener binds it or grafts it back on to the vine. That's what happens with confession: Jesus renews the connection with Him that our sin has damaged or broken. And in the Eucharist, our union with Christ is strengthened more powerfully than at any other time - we receive an influx of grace like no other, because He is truly present there under the appearances of bread and wine.

Loving obedience to God our wise and all-powerful Father, in big things and little things, is the surest sign of humility, and humility is the shortcut to holiness, wisdom, and an authentic joy. This is what St. John refers to in today's Second Reading: "Children, let us not love one another in word or in speech, but in deed and truth." It's easy to say pretty words, to talk the talk of being a good Catholic. But that talk has to translate into actions and the strength of virtues, into honesty, purity, faithfulness, courage, self-sacrifice, and obedience to Church teaching.

To become the best version of ourselves to do something beautiful for God. To live humbled and authentic lives with Jesus as the source of everything will lead us to a holy life and “there is simply nothing more attractive that holiness. Holiness is irresistible.”

The Annual Convocation for Priests will be held on Monday and Tuesday- May 3^rd and 4^th at Marywood Retreat Center. All priests from throughout the Diocese of St. Augustine will meet in unity of brotherhood to pray together, to offer support and healing for one another, and to reflect on our priestly vocation. There will be no Mass on Tuesday. Thank you for your understanding and please keep the priests of the diocese in your prayers.

This week we begin the month of May that is traditionally dedicated to Mary. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God, is the Mother of the Church, and therefore the example, as well as the guide and inspiration, of everyone who, in and through the Church, seeks to be the servant of God and man and the obedient agent of the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

I wish you a blessed week and invite you to do something beautiful for God with your lives this week, “The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace... So beautiful. So simple.”

With prayers, Fr. Andy