JOHN 15:1–8 STAY CONNECTED

Year A, Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Jesus gives us a very simple image today: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”

It’s something we can easily understand. A branch cannot live on its own. Once it is cut off, it slowly dries up. It may look fine for a while, but life is no longer flowing through it.

That is also true in our daily life. When we get too busy, too distracted, or too self-reliant, we slowly disconnect from God. Not suddenly—but little by little. And we begin to feel it: less peace, more frustration, less patience, more emptiness.

Jesus is not blaming us. He is reminding us of something important: stay connected. “Remain in me,” He says.

Remaining does not mean doing something extraordinary. It means staying close in simple ways—prayer, small moments of silence, choosing what is right, turning back when we fail.

And then, without forcing it, life begins to grow. Patience grows. Kindness grows. Strength grows.

Because it is not just our effort—it is His life flowing through us.

Question to ponder today: What is helping me stay connected to Jesus—and what is slowly pulling me away?

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler

Father Leo