Sunday, April 28, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Absolutely, Jesus was a master storyteller who loves to use parables with everyday language and imagery to convey profound spiritual truths that resonate with His people. His stories were crafted to make complex theological concepts accessible and relatable to the audience. By weaving real details, familiar images, and simple characters from everyday life into His parables, Jesus invited His people to reflect on divine Laws, spiritual lessons, and sincere facts on the human faith journey.

The Gospel passages this weekend presents a profound parable in which Jesus portrayed Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches. This imagery of the vine would have resonated deeply with His people, particularly those familiar with agricultural life. In their everyday experiences, they understood the vital role of the vine as the foundation and support for the branches. The vine protected the branches through the challenges of weather, environment, and dangerous influences. The vine also served as a conduit for nutrients from the soil to reach the branches and enable them to bear fruit.
Those images were used as a poignant illustration of the profound relationship between Jesus and His people, the mystery of His Sacred identity and mission, and the significance of His Incarnation, Resurrection, and Salvation in the Divine Plan. In His earthly ministry, Jesus epitomized His compassionate presence, His important guidance, and His special protection among the people when He reached out to the broken, healed the sick, forgave the sinners, and converted their hearts. By embracing His teachings and embodying His love, Jesus imparted the people the ultimate opportunity for the ability to receive God's grace and mercy, to bear fruit in their faith journey, and to earn the perpetual happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven.

My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Jesus is truly the Way, the Truth, and the Life for us. Through Him, with Him, and in Him, we discover the profound gift of life, the promise of resurrection, and the hope of eternal communion with God. As we connect to Jesus, we will be able to live, grow and bear fruit in our life journey. As we embrace His sacraments, we can nourish our souls, kindle our faith, and develop our spirits. Just as branches depend on the vine for nourishment and vitality, so too do we strive to bear fruit successfully and effectively when we surrender in Him.

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!
Reverend Kiet Anh Ta