𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗔 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 & 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿. 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝟱/𝟭𝟭. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
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News from Priest in Training (P.I.T.)

What does it mean to be a disciple? In today’s first reading, it is Saul’s boldness in Christ that makes the other Christians finally acknowledge him as a disciple. That boldness is a quality we are also called to have.

In the second reading, we hear of Jesus’ commandment to believe in him and love one another as he commanded us. This commandment has two features, which we might be tempted to separate into two commandments, but it is a singular directive. We are told that our faith should bear fruit in our works, especially in the way we love others. Our faith should find expression in our actions. To believe in Christ is to entrust yourself to Christ. It would be odd to believe in Christ and not obey him. Rather, to not obey would shed light on an area in yourself that Christ needs to be brought into, and that other brothers and sisters should be consulted about. Therefore, the disciples of Christ obey his commandments, and that obedience is proof of their faith.

The Gospel continues with the imagery of vines, branches, fruit, and pruning. Jesus makes the point through this imagery that it is impossible to grow in holiness without also producing good fruit for others. The Gospel takes a frightening turn when it says that anyone who does not remain in Christ will be thrown into a fire like dead branches! As previously mentioned, faith and works go together as one. Thus, believing in Christ but refusing to do anything he asks us to do for our own good is the same as rejecting Christ. Perhaps we are not rejecting him entirely, but …
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