Welcome to today’s Word of Hope for Wednesday, May 6th by Fr. Luke Barder, OP, pastor of St. Dominic’s Parish in Denver, Colorado. In today's reflection, we dive into the Gospel of John’s famous "Vine and the Branches" teaching. While we often view the Bible as a collection of stories, it is actually a singular love story—a divine declaration of love from God to us. From the marriage language of Adam and Eve in Genesis to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in Revelation, God’s ultimate desire is a union with His people. Jesus invites us to "remain in His love" so that our joy may be complete. If you have ever doubted your worth, let this teaching remind you that you are worth God taking on humanity to be with you. **In this video, you’ll discover:** * The connection between the early Church's governance in Acts and the Gospel teachings. * Why Jesus uses the imagery of vines and branches to describe intimacy. * The "marriage language" that bookends the entire Bible. * How to find joy and hope in the fact that God never abandons His people. --- ### 🕒 Video Timestamps **0:00** - Welcome to Word of Hope (May 6th) **0:22** - Parallel Readings: Acts of the Apostles and the Early Church **0:43** - The Imagery of St. John: Vines and Branches **1:15** - Remaining in Love: The Secret to Abundant Joy **1:40** - The Bible as a Whole: A Story of Marriage **1:58** - From Genesis to Revelation: The Wedding Imagery **2:45** - Who is the Bridegroom? Who is the Bride? **3:03** - God’s Divine Declaration of Love for You **3:42** - Staying Connected to the Ascended Christ **4:05** - Reflection: Know Your Worth in Divine Love #AWordOfHope #DailyReflection #CatholicLent #EasterSeason #BibleStudy #John15 #GodsLove #ChristianHope #StDominics #VinesAndBranches #DivineMarriage #ScriptureStudy