Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the fifth week of Easter, May 6th, 2026

Delivered by Kezia from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 15: 1-6; Rs psalm 122: 1-2.3-4a.4b-5; John 15: 1-8.ABUNDANT FRUITS IN JESUS Our meditation today has the theme: Abundant Fruits inJesus. In this Easter season, besides we have interesting themes on "theBread of Life" and "the Good Shepherd", we have also anothervery interesting theme, which is "the True Vine". The Lord Jesusreveals His identity through various symbols or images, and one of them is thetrue vine. In essence, God Himself always unites with His peopleand grants His precious gifts to every believer. Thus, we as individuals andthe community of God's people too, can pursue our lives on this world accordingto His plan, by using all the gifts we have and make them bear fruits. Thetrue vine is an appropriate symbol to teach us in this point of our reflection.Jesus is the true vine, we are its branches, and the Father in heaven is theowner. The fact that there are always differentunderstandings and attitudes among the people in the Church, it is part of thedynamic of the branches which are often shaken because of wind and rain. Thesedifferences or maybe criticisms and protests from within will not ruin the lifeof this Holy Church because there is the vine, which is the Lord Jesus Christas the only head and leader who protects it. All problems are directed to findtheir solutions in Jesus Christ alone. So instead of bothering ourselves with thedifferences, it is more important to give our attention to the abundance offruits as the outcome of our life in Jesus Christ, from which we strengthen theunity among the believers and enrich one another with the love of the Lord.These fruits certainly sustain our journey of faith. First is the fruit ofholiness and evangelization. We as individuals and the People of God or theChurch professes that holiness is our goal. We want to see ourselves that thisgift of holiness is also reaching out others through our works ofevangelization. Second is the fruit of will and courage to removethose branches that are already dry and useless, to be gathered and burned.This is the fruit of correction, improvement, repentance and renewal ofoneself. Third is the fruit of opportunity for growth and the new life ofpersonal and community achieved after the process of correction or renewal.Fourth is the fruit of happiness and thankfulness for being connected withJesus as the true vine, because apart from Him will be very dangerous for us. Fifth is the fruit of becoming one always with Jesusand we will be abundant. The fruits will never come from other trees, exceptfrom Jesus Christ our true vine. Sixth, we therefore, have a valid reason toalways praise and glorify our God and Father. Seventh is the fruit of ourdignity as sons and daughters of the Father as a very special and precioushonor for us. Eighth is the fruit mission, which is our duties as persons sentby God to go and to produce many fruits. And ninth is the fruit of patience-endurancethat will be the cloth we wear when we encounter difficulties and sufferings. Let'spray. O Lord, make us always able to bear fruits that can benefit us and alsoour neighbors. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of the Father ...