Jesus reminds us that pruning is part of the process of being his disciples. We must cut off what is not essential in order to promote growth. We experience the need for pruning in the Church because we tend to make essential to the gospel things which are merely cultural. Right at the beginning the Church had to prune the requirement for the followers of Jesus to become Jews since some thought “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.” The Church today needs to prune the European accretions that have become associated as necessary to practice the faith. An organ is no more sacred than a drum nor is kneeling with folded hands more prayerful than praise dancing.
MAY182022
By Church Staff
