Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, loving Father, you have given us your Son Jesus Christ as the true vine of life and our source of strength. Help us to live his life as living branches attached to the vine, and to bear plenty of fruit of justice, goodness and love. Let our union with him become visible in our openness to one another and in our unity as brothers and sisters, that he may be visibly present among us now and for ever.

Reading: John 15:1-8 (NLT)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Remain in me that I may bear good fruit and bring glory to the Father.

+ Purify my heart through your Word that I may abide in you.

+ Prune away what is dead that you may rise to life in me.

+ Produce new life in me through faithful obedience to your Word and Spirit.

Lord Jesus: I ask that I may become more like you to such an extent that those around me may see the change and give glory to the Father.

Soli Deo gloria!
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“The Deer’s Cry” – Rita Connolly at Powerscourt

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 96:1-2 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!