Day Thirty-One: Firmly Connected to Christ
Wednesday, Fifth Week of Lent
Scripture Passage:
“If you live according to my teaching, you are truly my disciples.” – John 8:31
Opening Reflection:
To be a disciple of Christ means more than just believing in Him—it means following His teachings and letting His Word shape our entire way of life. Discipleship is about abiding in Jesus, allowing His truth to become the foundation of our choices, our relationships, and our purpose.
Meditative Reflection:
Jesus tells us, “I am the vine, you are the branches,” reminding us that a life disconnected from Him is a life that bears no lasting fruit. We often strive on our own, hoping to be good or do good, but without Christ, even our best intentions fall short. Just like a branch cannot survive apart from the vine, our spiritual lives wither when we stop depending on Him for strength, direction, and purpose.
Saint Augustine beautifully captures this longing for divine connection when he cries, “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new.” He speaks of how God broke through his deafness and blindness, igniting a hunger and thirst for something deeper. That same yearning lies within each of us. Christ is not only the way we find our peace, strength, and identity in Him. To remain in Him is to remain rooted in love, nourished by truth, and empowered to bear fruit that endures.
Reflection Questions:
Do I live daily as a disciple, drawing life from Christ? What does the fruit of my life say about my connection to Him? Have I allowed anything to separate me from the Vine?
Lenten Question:
Q: Why do I need to remain connected to Christ to bear fruit?
A: Because apart from Him, we can do nothing that has eternal value. Jesus is the source of all holiness and love. When we live in union with Him, the Holy Spirit produces fruits in us—love, joy, peace, and more that reveal God’s presence in the world.
Lenten Action:
Surprise someone with an act of kindness today, and silently offer it to Jesus as a fruit of your connection with Him.
Concluding Prayer:
Jesus, You are the Vine, and I am the branch. Help me stay rooted in You so that I may bear fruit for Your Kingdom. Remove anything that blocks Your life-giving grace in me, and strengthen my desire to live as Your faithful disciple. Amen.
Resources for Lenten Prayers and Reflections:
Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Lenten Reflections | EWTN | https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/reflections/lent
Lenten Prayers and Daily Reflections | My Catholic Life | https://mycatholic.life/lent-prayers-reflections/