Saint Bridget of Sweden, Patroness of Europe
Gospel – John 15:1-8
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty”. Today we are celebrating the Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden, who was married to a nobleman and had eight children. After a pilgrimage to the shrine of St James at Compostela in Spain, Bridget and her husband Ulf decided to spend the rest of their lives in monasteries. She later became founder of monastic orders, she cared the poor and sick in Rome, and had mystical visions which are partially devotional and partly prophetic. This is the true story of a branch which tried to remain in the vine, Jesus Christ. By remaining in Him, St. Bridget produced fruits in plenty. This is the true identity of a Christian. I am a branch of Christ, the true vine, whose vinedresser is God the Father. How to remain in this vine as a branch? Jesus answers in this passage. It’s through His words that we remain in Him. When we follow His words, we remain in Him. His words are “to love one another”. So, when we love one another as He loved us, we remain in Him, the true vine. Then we will produce fruits of love. Every time, we do an act of love, we confirm ourselves as a branch of true vine. Let’s reflect: Are my today’s actions confirming my identity as a branch of true vine or am I a separated branch from the true vine?
Don Giorgio