October 15, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel for the Memorial: John 15:1-8

Reflect on the Word // 

I stared at my indoor jade plants, gardening shears in hand, unsure where to begin. The plants looked healthy on the surface, thick with shiny leaves, but they had grown uneven and now appeared leggy and lopsided, stretching too far towards the light. I snipped away at healthy stems, apologizing under my breath. If the plants could scream, I think they would have. Still, I knew the truth: without pruning, they would not grow stronger. They would topple and needed this reshaping.

That image stayed with me as I recently walked through my own season of heavy pruning. This pruning was not of sin or obvious disorder, but of very good things. Beautiful, holy things I thought would last. Dreams that had God’s fingerprints on them. Plans made in prayer. Friendships rooted in faith. But even these were trimmed back. The cuts felt painful, even confusing. Why would the Lord take what was already bearing fruit?

Then I read His words again: “Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it bears more fruit” (John 15:2). So that. That small phrase holds such promise. The Lord does not prune to harm. He prunes for more. More fruit. Deeper roots. Truer trust.

The Lord is not reckless with His pruning shears. He sees the whole structure of our lives and shapes it with eternity in mind. He never cuts without purpose. He never leaves us alone. “Remain in me, as I remain in you” (John 15:4).

That word “remain” has become a lifeline. Stay with Him. Even when the pruning stings. Even when we cannot see the fruit yet. Let His grace continue to flow. Receive this grace, especially whenever fruitful things are taken, we feel emptied, confused, or fragile. But pruning is not the end. It is the beginning of something deeper, something even more fruitful. The Lord is making space for abundance.

So let us remain. Let us become women—like the woman we celebrate today, Saint Teresa of Avila—who do not fear the Gardener’s shears, because we trust His hands and wait in hope for the fruit He has promised.

Relate to the Lord // How can you practically “remain” today?