Deuteronomy 23: Fruit that will Remain
Saturday, May 18, 2024
This Favorite from May 29, 2011 reminds us that just as Peter decides to remain faithful to Christ the shepherd, so might we. Just as Peter works to plant himself in Christ so might we. And just as Peter becomes fruit that remains in Christ. So do we.
When we read these many rules that try to cover all the permutations of a concept, we can understand how societies become top-heavy and stray too far from the hope that originally brought them together. If we need legions of lawyers to tell us what we believe, we know that tyranny has taken hold and that power has become more important than people. When control is the driving force in our lives rather than understanding or discernment, someone or something has gone too far; and this is why the simple elegance of The Word that Jesus brings to us – Love one another as I have loved you – cannot be outdone. There is no greater Law, no greater authority on earth or in heaven. Love is all there is. Love is everything that is.
I am always startled to hear people describe the connection they have with God as if it were some sort of membership in some kind of club. Jesus is not looking to have the greatest number of fans or friends. He is not trying to beat Satan by some specific amount in the tally of souls won or lost. He is not trying to best his last year’s soul-count by a certain margin. Jesus looks to redeem all those whom the Father has sent to him. Jesus asks us to bear fruit just as he bears fruit. Jesus is not issuing passports or validating passes. Jesus calls; we are to respond. And when we do, we must know that this is difficult work.
From Friday’s Gospel (John 15:12-17): I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.
From yesterday’s Gospel (John 15:18-21): Jesus said to his disciples: If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world that hates you.
And today’s Gospel (John 14:15-21) begins with this same message in the event we did not hear it the first time: If you love me, you will keep my commandments . . . you know him because he remains with you, and will be in you.
We who believe in Jesus do not belong to an elite organization. There are no dues to pay, no membership to renew. All that is asked of us is that we be open to the Spirit and that we allow that Spirit to find a dwelling place in us. And we do this so that we might bear much fruit, fruit that will remain.
Images from: http://declareconference.com/fruit-that-will-remain/ and https://www.pinterest.com/pin/112308584435316137/
The Noontimes 