Jesus is Within – John 15:1-8 Reflection
When you walk through a forest in prayer, do you have a heightened sense of surroundings, constantly looking in all directions to take in the view? Doesn’t avoiding roots, rocks, and stray branches in the path seem easy? On the other hand, in a chore like mowing your lawn, don’t you concentrate on looking down to avoid getting close to anything at the edges? If you are like me, because I am focused on looking down, the tall side, growth that needs trimming, tends to swipe me. These thoughts surface as a self-lesson metaphor. I know Christ’s presence corrects my deficiencies in paying attention to everything in faith-filled situations. But at other times, the wholistic sense of no matter when I should abide in Jesus and that Jesus is within me is more elusive. To bear good fruit, we need to increase the consciousness of our relationship with Jesus because He is already that way with us.
Our Lord Jesus Christ by James Tissot painting at full resolution.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 15:1-8 – Scripture*
Jesus the True Vine
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 15:1-8 Reflection – Jesus is within.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 15 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Jesus is Within
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.