John 15:5
“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.”

Jesus said that God is the vine grower and He is the vine. Each one of us is like a branch from that vine. When we are conscious of this divine connection and live in that consciousness we are truly living in the will of God. It is living in a constant flow of love and acceptance. However, when our egos take over and life becomes all about me…my will…my plan…then we are not consciously connected to the Vine. My own “private salvation project” as Thomas Merton called it will not lead to life that lasts (branches with fruit)…but to dead-ends (withered branches). Don’t forget that Jesus also says that God will prune the branches that bear fruit. That means that there will be some painful struggles that will lead to bearing even more fruit…if we remain consciously connected to the vine. How? By being present to God in all things, through silent prayer and meditation, receiving the sacraments and using your gifts and talents in the service of building God’s kingdom.