Years ago, there were two parishes that were merged because of declining number of priests and parishioners. The merger kept both churches open but with a single pastor. There came an event where both communities were to come together. People in one church said, “We don’t want THOSE people in OUR Church! The first reading seems to have a similar attitude when they didn’t want Saul around. How do we respond to others or to newcomers to our community? With open arms? Or do we demand proof of their faith or other issues?
In the gospel it speaks of the vine and pruning and producing fruit. What kind of fruit are we producing? How do we respond when “bad” things happen, which could be part of a pruning process? Do we consider ourselves so good that we don’t need any pruning? Is the fruit we produce that good and abundant that nothing could be improved? Remember the branches that don’t produce the fruit are taken away and thrown into the fire. Are we honest with what we produce?
Countenance of God 