As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:4-5, WEB-BE
God’s love flows even through imperfect people. There is good in each one of us. There is a kind of light that we reflect, a beauty for others to see. But to mistake that good or light or beauty to the Source of all Goodness, Beauty and Light is to be constantly disappointed and dissatisfied.
People can make us happy, but it is not within their power to make us always happy. People can be there for us, but it is not realistic to expect that they will be there for us each time that we need them. No matter how hard people try, they are bound to fall short in loving us.
This is why it takes much forgiveness and sacrifice to make human relationships work. Without forgiveness, how could we ever go on with each other? We can search the whole world and not find a single soul that won’t ever disappoint us one way or the other.
All of us are but branches from a vine. Cut off and by ourselves, we wither and hurt others instead of making them happy. God is the vine, the true source of life and love.
Let us strive to become better instruments of God’s love, branches that truly grow well, connected to each other through the true vine that never lets us down.
“How can a heart given up to human affections be closely united to God? It seems to me that it is impossible. I have seen so many souls, allured by this false light, fly right into it like poor moths, and burn their wings, and then return, wounded, to Our Lord, the Divine fire which burns and does not consume.” – Thérèse de Lisieux
Find hope in your darkest hour.
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