**How to Bear Fruit**

        In today’s Gospel reading from John 15, Jesus says to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every branch that does, he prunes so that it bears more fruit." The Father prunes us when we encounter anything trying or unpleasant. If we accept these trials without reservation, we will bear much fruit. The Lord continues: "Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. 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." Are you connected to Jesus like a branch to the vine? If not, you cannot bear fruit.