Thursday, February 22, 2001
Thursday, February 22, 2001
Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.
I read once about a program at the University of Florida where veterinary students staff a hotline
to help grieving pet owners cope with the death of their pets. The students receive specialized
training to learn how to counsel and assist callers experiencing painful emotions. "There is a
tremendous need for such a service," says faculty member Thomas Lane, who spearheaded the
project. Growing numbers of single and elderly people rely on pets for companionship, feeling the
death of a pet as strongly as that of a family member or friend.
Some of us may think this service is silly, but I have painful childhood memories of having to put
my dog Missy to sleep because she a bad back.
Suffering is something we would like to avoid, but suffering does make us stronger. This is not to
say that if something bad happens to you and causes you a tremendous about of pain that God is
responsible. Jesus dismissed that interpretation of life when he said that "God sends his rain to fall
on the just and the unjust." Bad things happen. But for those who are connected to Jesus, life is
never meaningless. Each step of the way, whether pleasant or painful is an event in disciple
making.
(John 15:2
NRSV)
If you have ever pruned a grape vine or a fruit tree, you know that the pruning process helps the
vine or tree bear more fruit. "To bear fruit" is a common image in the Old Testament to speak of
a community's faithfulness. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to bear fruit in love. We are
called to love as Jesus has loved.
Dear God, thank you for the moments of suffering when you have carried me and made me
stronger. Amen.
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