Homily by Father Paul Wharton

A stranger was lost and stopped at a Georgia farmer’s house for directions. To be friendly, he asked, “How is your cotton coming along?” “Ain’t got none,” replied the farmer. “Did you plant any?” asked the stranger. “Nope,” was the reply, “afraid of bollweevils.” “Well,” continued the stranger, “how is your corn?” “Didn’t plant none,” came the answer, “‘fraid there weren’t gonna to be no rain.” The visitor continued: “Well, how are your potatoes?” “Ain’t got none. Scairt of potato bugs.” “Really, what did you plant?” pressed the stranger. “Nothin’,” was the calm reply, “I jest played it safe.”

In today’s gospel Jesus uses an image that any farmer or gardener can easily understand.  Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches.  For us to have life, we have to remain in him.  Just as a branch withers or part of a vine dies when it is cut or detached, so, too, Christians wither, fade, and disappear without conscious contact with Christ.  Unlike the farmer in the story, we can’t simply do nothing and expect our relationship with God to take care of itself.

There are many reasons people become detached from the Lord.  Sometimes we blame it on what Father-so-and-so did at such-and-such a time.  But by the time that happens we were already well on our way away from God and the Church.  It takes place over time. We stop praying.  We skip church for what we tell ourselves are good reasons.  Then, before we know it: we have stopped praying and going to Church completely.  Because of the pandemic, most of us Catholics have gotten out of the habit of coming and are not remaining as close to the Lord as we need to be.   It’s time to start thinking about coming back.

What can we do to stay in contact with the living and risen Lord?  This morning I would like to suggest three vital steps we can take.

  • First, we can remain part of the church.   Our first reading today tells us that even the great Saint Paul knew how important it was to stay in touch with other Christians.  Jesus created and empowered the Church to help us stay in contact with Jesus through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.  Nothing compares to the fountain of grace we are given when we actually receive the Body and Blood of Christ in church during Sunday Mass.
  • Second, we can nuture our prayer life.  The gospels tell us again and again how important prayer was to Jesus.  How much more important it should be to us! Our relationship with God will wither and can even die without prayer and the sacraments.
  • Finally, we can express our faith in our actions.  Jesus says it best when he said, “Whatever you do for one of these least ones you did for me.”  In giving of our selves to help others, we share in God’s grace.

Jesus is our risen Lord who wants us to have life in him.

Be open.

Be willing and you will