October 15, 2026 // Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

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

Reflect on the Word // 

Please, Lord, don’t let it be him, I silently begged as the priest’s booming voice thundered through my home parish.  

I hadn’t expected our new, long-awaited pastor to begin celebrating Masses on this particular morning, and my lack of eyeglasses prevented me from seeing him clearly. But I couldn't imagine someone so, well, loud, being called to lead us. Don’t get me wrong, his homily was beautiful and full of bold truth, but here’s the thing: I was accustomed to shepherds who spoke with a strong yet tender tone, and my heart—not to mention my nerves—were thoroughly jarred.  

Soften him, Jesus, I pleaded, as a dart of remorse immediately pierced my heart. No, Lord, I offered up instead, Soften my heart to him.  

I believe this interior conversion was only possible because of the words Jesus speaks to us in today’s Gospel: “He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit” (John 15:2). Grafted onto Jesus the Vine, it becomes glaringly obvious what “branches” in my mind and heart need to be cut away, the twigs and thorny areas that need His gentle touch of pruning to bear life.   

Because the truth is, on my own, I would overlook all that hinders my growth in Him: the sinful and disordered “fruits” that choke the life of divine love in the garden of my soul. But our good God doesn’t leave me—or any of us—on our own. With audacious love, He invites us to a relationship in which we share the same life source, just like a vine and its branches (see John 15:4-5). And the offshoots of this intimate bond are the sanctifying fruits of grace. 

Sister, rotten fruit cannot stay when we are rooted in Life Himself. So let us remain. Like Saint Teresa of Avila, whose closeness to Christ bore abundant fruit, may we always cling to Him, the Master Gardener. For the work of His hands is holy.

And bad fruit doesn’t stand a chance against His abiding love.  

Relate to the Lord // Pray with us Saint Teresa’s prayer and let nothing separate you from the Vine today.