Tuesday December 21 Love John 15:1-9
I am the true vine, and my Father is
the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch
that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been
cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you.
Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches.
Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you
can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and
withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you
abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will
be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and
become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in
my love.
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When I chose this date for a
reflection, I didn’t know it would contain one of my favorite verses – I am the
vine, you are the branches. I would like to believe that my stay on earth is
for a reason. What is it? Raised in a loving church oriented family gave me a
strong Lutheran background. I like to think that my life has been one of giving
of myself when I can. God has blessed me with a much longer life than anyone in
my immediate family for which I am grateful. I pray that as long as I live I
can bear the fruit of Jesus’ love and help others to see how he and the Father
care for us. It is with great joy that I serve my church and my God.
Prayer: Father, thank you for allowing
me to be a branch in your vine. Bless all those who are reaching out to family,
neighbors, countrymen so that we can continue to live in a peaceful world with
love. Let us joyfully celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus in whose name we
pray. Amen.
Deacon
Dorothy Kafalas
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