FRIDAY (May 7, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“I am the vine; you are the branches.” (John 15:5)
Reading
““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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.” (John 15:1–4)
Meditation
Jesus is the vine. He is the lifeblood of the Church. The lifeblood of each one of us. The Father tends to His vines (the offshoots of Christ), gently pruning, pinching back or taking a more brutal cut as needed. He does this in order to guide us, lead us so that we might bear more fruit—more love and mercy. Without being grafted into Jesus we would shrivel and die. Grafted into Jesus through baptism, we derive our life from Him.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Father, we lift up Jacob before you this day, asking that You would give him your mercy all the days of his life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer