It was not you who chose me, but I chose you and approinted you to go and bear fruit that will remain.
One of the happiest time that I experienced as a child or adult was when I played a game after school. There were no referees or coach to tell you that you were doing something wrong because everyone new what was fare. An individual call might be in question, but the group decision .
Before the game started we choose sides and the call would ring out ,
“Pick me!” “Pick me!”
Now in reality I was never a star athlete but always enjoyed the camaraderie and the physical release of energy after a day at school or work. Amazingly some of these same people are still friends today.
What does it mean to be on Jesus’s team?
In the first reading from Acts it talks of abstaining from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals and from unlawful marriage. With the exception of unlawful marriage the rest seems like a no-brainer. However, the modern day equivalent would be idols in our life, drugs, alcohol, pornography and of course unlawful marriage or living together. Nonetheless, Jesus wants more from us to be a part of His team.
Jesus says in our Gospel, This is my commandment love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
The interesting thing is that Chapter 15 starts with last Sunday’s Gospel . I am the vine and you are the branches and remain in me and you will produce fruit. Today is the culmination of Jesus’s sermon in Chapter 15 and puts the message of the vine in a new perspective.
So what is our fruit?…..Love!
We lay our life down for one’s friend by using our time, talent and treasure for our family, friends, community, nation and the world. I stayed in a resort run by Quakers and found it interesting that there were no keys to the rooms. Everyone there were friends. I believe locks are for honest people but point is everyone staying at the resort is a friend.
The idea of being on Jesus team and working with friends is part of why He is choosing you and me.
Jesus chose us to bear fruit and love one another. On Wednesday Steven Marsh talked about growing fruit. Love is our fruit. This is all great reading scripture but how to I bear fruit and score points for Jesus team with love.
Saint Mother Teresa said that “we can do no great things, but only small things with great love.” Each of us has an opportunity everyday to love someone and score points for team Jesus.
Today I ended a novena for friends. I texted my grandson and told him that his grandmother and I loved him. At the end of the day I hope to score points for team Jesus.
How about you? Jesus has chosen you. You can bear fruit today.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
