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One of the great elements of Johannine spirituality is the interiority of our relationship with Jesus and with God the Father. It is a doctrine which we hear repeated in various forms during these weeks of Easter, whether in readings from John's First Letter or from the Gospel. In today's Gospel passage it is expressed as "Live on in me as I do in you" and then in the negativity of the opposite, namely being apart from God or separate from Jesus: "you cannot bear fruit apart from m"; "apart from me you can do nothing."
In Chapter 10, Jesus has spoken of his intimate relation with his sheep. Yet there will always be some separation between the Shepherd and his sheep. Hence John appears to wish to present a parable of even greater intimacy in the parable of the Vine where union and intimacy can be seen more perfectly.
Lord Jesus, may we always be intimately united with You so that we may live by Your life in us.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That Christians in Africa, in imitation of the Merciful Jesus, may give prophetic witness to reconciliation, justice, and peace.
Elaboration
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