From a Word from Becky, my monthly newsletter to my readers
In my July 9th Live and Lead titled, “Rest, Renewal and Remembering with God,” I shared one piece of my eight- day silent retreat. Today, I want to reflect with you on a Scripture passage that was part of my silent retreat and one I return to over and over again in my life: John 15: 4-17. This is the chapter in John where Jesus speaks one of his “I Am” statements to us…”I am the vine, you are the branches.” My deep appreciation for this scripture began on May 13, 2021.
The Last Line of Scripture My Grandmother Heard
My mom, my dad, my younger brother, and I stood around my grandmother’s bed as Fr. Jamin gave my grandmother last rites. We laid our hands on her, and Fr. Jamin read these words:
“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me” (John 15: 4).
He offered her a blessing and anointing. We all said, “Amen.” And then we slowly removed our hands off my grandmother. I gave Fr. Jamin a hug to express my gratitude for him being there with us. Then we both looked down and saw that my grandmother had taken her final breath.
The last words my grandmother heard were about remaining with Jesus.
My grandmother always remained not only with Jesus, but with those she loved. She bore his fruit into the lives of all who knew her. I feel she still bears fruit into my life through her decades of loving me and through the witness of her faith.
Faithfulness
John 15:10 offers us a witness of Jesus’s faithfulness and also a challenge to be faithful. Jesus tells us, “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”
Jesus was faithful to his Father. Jesus is faithful to us. He challenges us to be faithful to him as he was faithful to his Father. We are called to remain with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We do this through our daily prayer, through receiving the Sacraments, and through praying with the Living Word of God.
My grandmother knew and trusted God’s faithfulness to her, and she remained faithful to God, until her last breath. I invite you to consider how you are being called to trust God’s faithfulness to us? How are we being called to show faithfulness to God?
Fruit
John 15:16 reminds us, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.” Jesus lets us know that to bear fruit, we must remain on the vine and in relationship with him.
Remaining with God and being faithful to God bears fruit that can sometimes challenge us. Being in a relationship with God may bear fruit in ways where we are stretched outside our comfort zone such as:
- Loving in places we didn’t think we could
- Letting go of resentments
- Forgiving those who hurt us
- Seeing things with God’s eyes that may not align with how those around us see
- Bringing forth new creations that invite us to deeper trusts
Faithfulness brings forth fruit. My grandmother’s faithfulness brought forth love that went beyond any human boundary. Where in our lives do we feel God seeking to bear fruit through us? What fruit are we excited to see come to life? Is there any fruit that challenges us?
Fidelity
Both in John 15:12 and John 15:17, we hear the call to “love one another” as Jesus loved us. Jesus shows fidelity in his relationship with us. He is loyal, steadfast, and committed. We know that Jesus loves us and shows us mercy, compassion, and kindness.
We, too, are called to love the people in our lives with fidelity. To remain not only with Jesus, but with each other.
My grandmother modeled being called to fidelity. She went out of her way to see family, visit friends, to know her neighbors. She never took for granted the call to love people in her life. Where are we, too, called to fidelity and to love one another as Jesus loves?
Invitation for Prayer:
I invite all of us to pray with John 15: 4-17 and to reflect on God’s call to be faithful, to bear fruit, and to fidelity. May we all have the courage to remain with Jesus as he remains with us!
Peace,
Becky
Becky Eldredge
July 28, 2026