May 13, 2009 - Wednesday Meditation (Are You One of Them???)

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May 13, 2009 - Wednesday Meditation (Are You One of Them???)

Sections - The Daily B.R.E.A.D.

Written by Bobot Apit

Tuesday, 12 May 2009 05:55

O nly God can make the tough, tender; the arrogant, humble; the cynical, believing; and the insulting, polite.

Acts 15:1-6
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

J ohn 15:1-8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. (2) Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (3) You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. 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. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (8) By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples."

* Meditation by Rev. Richard Gabuzda

Garden-Variety Mystics

“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.”

This vivid horticultural image chosen by Jesus could not be clearer in its message. Especially as we listen to the text in these Easter days, the image conveys the truth that the Risen Jesus is not merely an inspiration for our actions; or even a “nearby presence” (like a coach on the sidelines, cheering us on). No, the Risen Jesus is in closest union with us; he “works” in us and through us. This is the faith of the Church as demonstrated by St. Paul who declared, “Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians, 2, 20).

Why, then, don’t we live this plainly evident truth? Perhaps we fear its meaning: “If I must surrender control of my life to this ever-present Jesus, what will that mean?” But perhaps we doubt its truth: “This may be true for some saint here or there, but Jesus’ union with me cannot really be this close.” Yet, Jesus’ words haunt us: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” In his eyes, we are all mystics, everyday, ordinary, garden-variety mystics!

What have I done so far today? How much of this has been on my own? How much has been with Jesus?

Jesus, give us the faith to believe that you live in us and work in and through us!

Supplementary Reading
To the Glory of God

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

Martin Luther said, "If the world had treated me the way it treated God, I would have kicked the whole thing to pieces long ago." Other theologians have wrestled with this same question. Some say, "God should have let the boat sink with Noah in it." Why does God bother with a race of people who treat him with arrogance, haughtiness, and pride?

The answer is simple. God created the human race and he loves mankind. So much so that he was willing to pay the price through the death of his Son to reconcile us to himself—to the glory of God. Only God can make the tough, tender; the arrogant, humble; the cynical, believing; and the insulting, polite. God's desire is to build a new culture within human society—a kingdom that will extend into eternity.

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What does the world think of Jesus today? Choose to be a shining example of Jesus to the world in all you do and say.

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Note: This excerpt was taken from the "Power for Life Daily Devotional"