fruit for christmas
"His wife was barren and had borne no children." —Judges 13:2
Today the Church introduces us to the mother of Samson and to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptizer. Both of these women were barren, but the Lord miraculously made them fruitful. Are you barren, not physically, but spiritually? How many people have you helped lead to Christ this Advent? How many spiritual children have you begotten in the last couple of years? (see Phlm 10; 1 Cor 4:15) With how many people have you tried to share your faith? How many seeds of the gospel have you planted?
Many of us have been barren. We need the miracle mentioned in today's readings. We need to be made fruitful. If we don't share our faith in Jesus, do we have faith in Jesus? If we don't let others know that Jesus loves them, do we love them? If we haven't given others the opportunity to know Christ, how can they have Christmas? For without Christ there is no Christmas. Jesus taught: "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who lives in Me and I in him, will produce abundantly" (Jn 15:5). Be fruitful and multiply (Gn 1:28).
Prayer: Father, may I give up my life to bear fruit abundantly (Jn 12:24).
Promise: "In these days the Lord is acting on my behalf; He has seen fit to remove my reproach among men." —Lk 1:25
Praise: "O Flower of Jesse's stem, You have been raised up as a Sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in Your presence; the nations bow down in worship before You. Come, let nothing keep You from coming to our aid."
Reference: (Prepare to rebuild the Church by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. It is also available on our website. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017
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