Dear Friends,
 
Our Lord uses the image of the vine and the branches to reinforce how we literally can do nothing good or meritorious without relying on His grace, His divine life, which He shares with us through the sacraments. In the American Seminary in Rome, the chapel is designed such that a green marble sanctuary floor continues down in the middle aisle, with arms of the green marble extending out sideways under the congregation. The imagery being clear: it is from our Lord’s Body and Blood that we live and grow and endure. Once cut off from that precious fount of life, we become spiritually dry, shriveled, easier to burn up with the fire of temptation. 
 
Christ uses this and similar images often, even explicitly telling His disciples “Without Me, you can do  nothing.” Do we truly believe this? Do I really believe that Sunday Mass provides me with the very life and energy I need to remain united to the Lord and flee the Evil One throughout the week? That is why Sunday Mass is an obligation - not a mere rule, but an obligation much like eating and drinking every day is an obligation. Even if we don’t immediately feel the effects of Mass, or if we find ourselves bored and disillusioned, we need to remember that a plant can seem dead or shriveled up mere weeks before it blooms again. Perseverance in our spiritual obligations is the key. We must not detach ourselves from the Lord by leaving off daily prayer, or Confession, or weekly Mass. That is the step towards spiritual death. 
 
Especially during this Easter Season, let us continue to joyfully and thankfully proclaim, Alleluia! He is Risen!
 
In Christ, 
 
Fr Marotti