Abiding

AM Psalm 119:1-24 • PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
Exod. 15:22-16:10 • 1 Pet. 2:1-10 • John 15:1-11

A while back, Dr. Nathan Haydon in a Morning Reflection wrote concerning “our self created conceptions of permanence and safety that do not exist.” He went on to quote Thomas Merton: “Fear narrows the little entrance to our hearts. It freezes up our power to give ourselves.”

One time when I visited the man who published Thomas Merton’s books including The Seven Storey Mountain, New Seeds of Contemplation, No Man is an Island, Zen and the Birds of Appetite, a man named James Laughlin, I was also planning to bring home one of his lambs in the back seat of our car.

I think when we are assured we know someone, we have a self-created conception of safety. I might say, for instance, oh, I have read that book, or, I once met somebody who knew Thomas Merton. But none of that is the point, though it is piquant and delightful.

The text for this Morning’s Reflection is John 15: 1-11. “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. … as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

It sounds reasonable that we need to be pruned that we may bear more fruit. It sounds reasonable that we “abide in the vine.”

Today’s reading from Peter says … put away all malice and guile and insincerity and slander, that you may grow up to salvation for you have tasted the Kindness of the Lord….”

Written by Rebecca Newth

Rebecca Newth sings in the choir and thus has many opportunities to be pruned and bear fruit.