After 2000 years of “data” - The “metrics” are clear - So don’t be deceived - More importantly - Don’t deceive yourself

In the entire bible, for me personally, one of the most important lines that has guided my Catholic faith for much of my adult life is this……”I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing”……If we have eyes to see in the Catholic world, you will note that every Cardinal, every Bishop, every priest, every religious order, every lay Catholic in the pew, every program, and every apostolate that “adheres to the vine” bears fruit and those who don’t - Well - They don’t…..Jesus tells us something here we should ALWAYS pay attention to….”So by their fruits you will know them”…..This is how we “tell” who is “legit” as we say in New Jersey and who is not…..Those who have ears - Let them hear…..Why bring this up?…Because in the first reading today at Mass from St Paul…We are reminded of what I just noted........……”Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”…..What is St Paul telling us? - Allow me to “break it down”…No matter who you are….....No matter how smart……No matter how gifted…..You did not “figure it out” in a better way they God did - Get that through your head!….And if you are not “grafted” into the Church, which was founded upon Jesus Christ, whatever you do, even if it is mildly successful for a time - It will not last…….The term used in Catholic circles for what I am attempting to explain here is "Apostolic”, which means it comes down directly from Christ himself and is passed on…..St Paul today reminds us of this - As does this reflection…And why do we need reminders? - Just look around - How are we doing?……Please allow me to repeat it….”I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing”…….Once again - How can you tell those who give “lip service” to those words I just noted and those who take this statement to heart?…….”So by their fruits you will know them” - Those who have ears - Let them hear!

“Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles”

Do we pay attention to the words of Jesus?…I mean to we really take Christ at his word?……Jesus was very clear about addressing “lukewarm” Catholicism…..I think we all have seen it…And sadly this is why many leave the Church….”Lukewarm” Catholicism does not bear fruit…..And “doubling down” on this model will not change that reality…..However, Catholicism that “adheres to vine”, that simply passes on and does not try to mask or alter what Jesus himself taught bears fruit…How do I know this to be reality?…Look at parishes across America that “adhere to the vine”…They are packed!…Look at religious orders that “adhere to the vine” - They get tons of vocations….Look at bishops that “adhere to the vine” - Their seminaries are packed….To ignore this reality - Because it is reality, is simply foolish…..And ignoring reality does not change reality!…….This is why Jesus tells us - “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it”……Why does Jesus tells us this? - Because a child trusts his Father implicitly - Do we?…….Bottom line - No matter who you are - You did not or will not “figure out” a better way forward than God himself - Nor can you create a better Church then God already did….Again, how do I know this to be true?……”So by their fruits you will know them”….This should be so obvious to us - But sadly its not to so many both inside and outside the walls of the Church……Those who have eyes to see - Let them see!

Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.

Today in the first reading from Mass, St Paul tells us that Jesus is the “capstone” of the one Church he founded…This is why the Catholic Church is referred to as the “Barque of Peter”…And we need to “stay in the boat”!…..That means living and practicing the faith as the Church teaches it….Its not about doing things “my way”…Its all about doing things God’s way!….Why is that important? - Because if we do not do it God’s way - We will not bear fruit that will last - Write that one down and put it in your pocket!…….St Paul once again instructs us…”Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect”……After 2000 years of “data” - The “metrics” are clear - So don’t be deceived - More importantly - Don’t deceive yourself…………JMJ

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