Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco

Fifth Sunday of Easter 

Acts 9:26-31, Psalm 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32 and 1 John 3:18-24, John 15:1-

“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Apart from me you can do nothing!”

THIS IS what the Covid-19 pandemic has taught me, total dependence on God. Earlier on, Fr. Echo Bustamante, S.J., thanked me for the vaccines and as I reflected, I wanted to tell him it is the DOH, the National Government through the CHO, not me! The different Homilies led me to reflect on our NEED FOR GOD ALONE! Nohay cosa puede hace si hinde bajo na mano de Dios!

Fr. Rentax, S.J., shared his experiences of pruning grapes being a student of agriculture. We too are pruned by God. Cutting decayed branches that are unproductive vices in our lives. 

Last September, Christian Olasiman a certified “Presidente de Plantito,” always a hopeful person who chooses his battles and looks at possibilities in the bright side of life, gifted me with a pink Syngonium. After unsuccessful experiences with Lithops, he has renewed his faith in my capacity to care for plants. Just like me, the plants gifted to me require minimal care, low maintenance. I enjoy seeing the leaves of my Syngonium sprout 8 then 9. 

Then one day, I discovered my husband, a certified “green thumb” let the pot get direct sunlight! Upon return indoors, I scrutinized the leaves only to discover dark, weak, decayed stems which I easily plucked out - 1,2, 5, then now only 3 remained. I let fate decide if my drastic plucking was wise. Only time will tell. 

Looking at the plant, we too are nurtured with God's love. The Second Reading 1 John 3: 18 onward: “And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as He commanded us.”

Those who keep His commandments remain in Him, and He in them, and the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He gave us. Amidst unsettling events of uncertainty, we cling on to Jesus! Remain in Jesus! A fruitful future awaits us. This Month of May, we begin with the Feast of Saint Joseph and pray the Rosary daily and end with the Flores de Mayo in honor of our Mother Mary! Remain in Jesus and bear Fruit! (MBC)

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