"You have not chosen me, I have chosen you. I have set you apart for the work of bringing in fruit. Your fruit should last. And whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you." John 15:16
I am just arriving home after what was to be a short, day and a half visit with my Mom for Easter. It became a lot longer stay since she was sick. My daughter Emily and I stayed with her to take her to the doctors, and although she has a bad case of bronchitis, all will be well. We caught it in time. She was able to go to church and celebrate Easter with family, and we were able to return a small bit of the care she has given us over the years. She had watched with joy as my niece and nephew chased after Easter eggs in the Saturday drizzle. And she sang with no voice all the Easter hymns from memory. And she grinned from ear to ear as parts of her family gathered around the table for Easter dinner. There was much joy despite her challenged health.
Jesus reminds us in this season that he is the true vine, the source of all life and abundance. Our job is to bear fruit, to cultivate love and caring wherever we go. We are to be constantly in prayer and asking God for the needs of the community. Like my mother, we are to be unflagging in our prayer and concern for others, as God, the source of all is revealed in the love we demonstrate, the fruit we bear.
On this cold and rainy Easter Wednesday, I want to live with the kind of fruitfulness and joy that my mother has lived with. Despite many challenges, past and present, she pushes on. Today, despite evidence to the contrary, I want to see the abundance and fruit of God's love everywhere I go. I want to see the sunshine, despite the clouds and chill. And I want to ask God for the eyes with which to see and the heart to feel the need of others. I want to live as a witness to the resurrection, today. May we all have the courage, despite our challenges, despite the dark clouds and damp breeze, to live as the chosen of God, bearing fruit and love along the way.
1 comment:
Bishop and Friend,
Was about to do a blog search for you, but here you are. Thank you.
Best wishes to your mother!
Easter must have been a time to visit, as I visited my mother and my dad's last surviving sibling. Both are in separate Adult Care Centers, but it was good to see them.
My aunt lives in Lancaster County and it was wonderful to spend the day with my daughter driving about that part of our world, remembering the simplicity of the life that is very present there. Away from computers and TV but a chance to "smell the roses" and spend time with loved ones.
The smiles on their faces drives away to weather for this day.
Thank you ... you were missed.
Russ
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