Sermon – He who remains in Jesus always bears fruit – John 15:1-8 – May 6, 2026

Today's Bible offers us a profound yet simple analogy: Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, and the Father is the gardener.

Jesus says, “I am the true vine.” This reminds us that He is the source of our life. A branch cannot live on its own; it can only live if it is attached to the vine. Similarly, we can only truly live when we are attached to Jesus. Therefore, the purpose of everything we do should be to please Jesus, to live according to His will.

“Stay in me, and I will stay in you.” Staying in Jesus is not a temporary state, but a lasting relationship. This union is nourished by prayer, God’s Word, the sacraments, and the choices we make in daily life. When we remain connected to Jesus, we bear fruit: spiritual fruits such as love, patience, compassion, and peace. These are signs of a transformed life, not just outwardly, but inwardly.

Jesus speaks of two different situations: a barren branch and a fruitful branch. The barren branch is cut off. This symbolizes the person who lives far from Jesus, who has severed their connection with Him. This is not a punishment, but a consequence: the person who is cut off from the source of life withers from within. If we are not bearing fruit, it is because we have distanced ourselves from Jesus.

But even the fruit-bearing branch undergoes a process: it is pruned. Herein lies a crucial truth for our spiritual lives. God cleanses and purifies the fruit-bearing branches so that they may bear even more fruit.

This purification often happens through the difficulties, suffering, trials, and sacrifices in our lives. We tend to think that if we are with Jesus, nothing bad will happen to us anymore. However, Jesus allows difficulties in our lives so that we can bear more fruit. He wants to purify and strengthen our faith through the crucifixion.

These experiences are not easy. Sometimes we find it difficult to understand. But these are not signs that God has abandoned us, but that He cares for us. A gardener doesn't cut the branch; he prunes it to make it stronger. God cuts away what is unnecessary in our lives: our selfishness, our excessive attachments, our pride. Thus, more life can sprout within us.

Therefore, when faced with difficulties, we can ask ourselves, “What does God want to purify in me?” We don’t need to ask why; what we should really ask is why Jesus allows difficulties in our lives. Instead of despairing, we can have faith, because God is preparing us to bear even more fruit.

Let us not forget Jesus' words: "Without me, you can do nothing." This is not meant to diminish us, but to guide us to the right source.

Today, let us renew our resolve in our hearts: to remain in Jesus, to do everything to please Him, and to accept the purifications that life brings with faith.

For whoever remains in Jesus never becomes barren; they always bear fruit, and it is lasting fruit.

May the Virgin Mary help us to always keep our eyes on Jesus, even when we face difficulties.