Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: April 29, 2018
This weekend’s Gospel - Jesus’ self-description as “the true vine” and its branches which are His disciples (Jn 15:1-8) – is a favorite of mine. In fact, I asked that it be proclaimed at my priestly ordination way back in 1979. And back when I did so – if I can trust my memory! – I was focusing on the “attachment” to Christ which is so necessary for a true disciple. It’s usually the principal idea found within and preached from this text.
But there are at least two other very central ideas found in those memorable words of the Lord. In verses 2 and 3 Jesus notes that even the good branches on the vine need “pruning,” and indeed are pruned in order to be healthy. Since the image of cutting is a painful one, even if it’s necessary, it’s not surprising we tend not to focus on it. Even when we have to undergo some little surgery, it’s never a favorite thing to do. And in fact there’s always some risk that the most minor of procedures can result in consequences that are unforeseen or result in ongoing pain.
But from the perspective of morality, at least, bad behaviors need to be “pruned” away from our lives. Bad habits and preoccupations, even if these don’t rise to the level of full-blown addictions or even worse criminality, drain God’s life and goodness away from us. We need to rid ourselves of whatever heightens our frustrations, risks punishment, and thwarts our greater sense of fulfillment and peace, and God is willing to assist us in this task, especially through confession. Whether you refer to the Church’s Sacrament as Reconciliation, Confession or Penance it has the same goal: freeing us from the self-indulgent limitations that keep us away from God and His offers of serenity and salvation. It may not be fun, but in the long run it’s worth it! (In that vein, when was the last time you went to confession?)
Beyond this notion of “pruning,” however, are Jesus’ more dire words of “burning.” In verse 6 He bluntly observes that “Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch to wither; others then will gather them and throw them into the fire, and they will be burned.” True, this is the sad fate only of those who choose to try to live apart from Christ. It is not so much punishment from God as a selfish choice to abandon Him. But even if life-decisions which do not include the Lord and His ways are made accidentally or out of ignorance, they still remain personal choices for which we are responsible.
In sum, then, when Jesus emphasizes our need to remain grafted onto Him as branches to a vine, He is not absolving us of effort or even pain in the process. While promising great reward (“much fruit” and “glory”) to the faithful, He is careful to advise us that life connected to Him will not always be easy. He also is honest in noting that our free, purposeful efforts to live apart from Him will be respected by Him, even if this means our eventual and utter destruction.
As the “merry month of May” begins this week, please do some extra praying. First, keep in your prayers in a special way those who will be celebrating either First Holy Communion or Confirmation this month. Remember too in prayer our mothers, living and deceased, who hold such a special place not only on May’s calendar but more importantly in our hearts. And lastly please spare a prayer for seminarian John Vu, who will be ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Baton Rouge at the end of the month. All of these intentions are dear to the Lord, and ought to be dear to us as well!
Yours in the Risen Lord,
Fr. Paul
