Cut off From Me, You can do Nothing.

Homily for May 17, 2017.

I have computer in my office. This computer is so essential as far as work in the office is concerned because it contains all the information I need to work. But then, this computer runs on power such that without electricity, this computer is useless. As much as the computer is important, powering it is even more important.

Dear friends, what is your source of power? What is that which keeps you going in life? At times, we place so much emphasis on the computer itself, we dust it every day and even adore it, forgetting that what makes it function at all is its source of power. We only remember and appreciate power when it goes off.

Nowadays, there are lots and lots of self-motivation books, video clips and inspirational audio materials out there all of which preach the gospel of “believe in yourself,” “develop yourself to discover your potentials,” “they sky is your limit,” and so on and so on.

Our world today tends to place too much emphasis on the human person forgetting that just like a computer, all human beings are useless without our source of power. And just as the computer does not generate its own electricity to run itself, we humans cannot power ourselves; we depend on power from above.

As Jesus said in today’s Gospel passage, “abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me … for apart from me you can do nothing.  If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.” John 15:4-6.

Dear friends, our source of power is Jesus. Failure to maintain an active spiritual life, lack of a deep seated interior communion with God only makes us wither like dead branches. Nothing else can take the place of God in our lives!

The world says “believe in yourself” but Jesus says “believe in me, without me, you can do nothing.” The world says “the sky is your limit, you can achieve anything you want” but Jesus says “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7.

No matter how self-motivated you are, no matter how much you invest in yourself, no matter the extent of your knowledge or expertise, without Jesus, you are useless! Nothing can take the place of God in your life. Nothing else can do that which only God is capable of doing for you.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I remain connected to you always. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 5^th Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 15:1-6 and John 15:1-8).