"I am the true vine,* and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes* so that it bears more fruit. - Jn. 15:1-2
I thought she had made a massive mistake. My sister and I came home from school and noticed that mom had mauled the peach tree in our backyard. We were very proud of our little peach tree in Zephyrhills. It had given us a good number of peaches and we were looking forward to more next year. Because of those hopes, it was startling to see how aggressively my mom had pruned its branches. Mom explained her reasoning and I remember thinking "For peaches sake, I hope your right."
I've often felt like there was a change in my life or in my plans which I didn't quite understand. In my family dynamics, friendships, the workplace or even within my own self-understanding it would feel as if something was being taken away. In the midst of potential anxiety, distress and/or grief, I've been reminded of this passage from scripture and my mom's peach tree. I am not in control of the pruning. Jesus is the vine that I have been grafted onto and the Father knows that there is more fruit to come than I can see. May we courageously respond with trust to the pruning which we may undergo.
What growth have I experienced in the past from a place where I had experienced pruning in my life?
Father, help me to entrust my life to you.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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