the other readings for today are Acts 15: 1-6 and Psalm 122
Today's gospel is also the one we read this past Sunday. In my homily, the text of which is found at Nativity of Our Lord (myparish.org), I spoke of how we are in this journey of faith together, or as the Holy Father, Pope Francis says, "You cannot be a Christian alone".
Today I would like to focus on one word - abide. This word is not common in our current lexicon, and is usually replaced by the word "remain". In our gospel Jesus invites us to abide, to remain in Him as He does in us.
Let's consider that idea - first that He remains in us. I always find much recompense in the idea that our God loves us so much that God remains in us, especially with the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit. And as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are all One, that presence of the Spirit ensures that the Son and the Father are also present in us. And this, as Jesus says in our gospel, this will allow us to bear fruit.
What are we called to do in return? To abide, to remain, to be present to Him. This requires sharing our time with God through prayer - and it also requires us to then live out our faith.
Let's commit ourselves today to spend some time abiding with Him., especially in prayer. And then be heartened by the fruit that results.