OUR REAL IDENTITY

Fifth Sunday of Easter by Sister Evangeline Salazar, OSB

Acts 9:26-31, 1 John 3:18-24, John 15:1

Jesus

Walks into a crowd

And people ask

Who are you?

Jesus

Looks them in the eye

And answers

I am the living bread

I am the light of the world

I am the sheepgate

I am the good shepherd

I am the resurrection and the life

I am the way, the truth, and the life.

And today

Jesus tells us

I am the vine

And he says

You are the branches.

We are branches?

We are branches!

Remember Paul?

He wanted to belong

We are branches!

Remember Paul?

He wanted to belong;

Seeking entrance

Into a community

Of liars, cheaters, cowards,

Disputing, discerning, disciples.

Who spoke for Paul?

We are the branches,

Ready for the pruning.

Imagine That!

Jesus wants us to be one in Him,

As He and the father are one.

He invites, desires us

To be an intimate part of Him

And of one another.

Our response?

Choose to bear fruit?

Or chock ourselves off from the vine?

The invitation stands.

Will we choose our real identity,

As radically as Saul

Chose to become an apostle

Choose to be true?

Choose to grow in love?

Who are you?

Jesus told us

Who He really is.

Will you?

Tell us

Who you are?

Who are you?

Who are you?