Daily Readings - Wed May 22 2019

¹And certain ones, descending from Judea, were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.²Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas made no small uprising against them, they decided that Paul and Barnabas, and some from the opposing side, should go up to the Apostles and priests in Jerusalem concerning this question³Therefore, being led by the church, they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy among all the brothers⁴And when they had arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the Apostles and the elders, reporting what great things God had done with them⁵But some from the sect of the Pharisees, those who were believers, rose up saying, "It is necessary for them to be circumcised and to be instructed to keep the Law of Moses.⁶And the Apostles and elders came together to take care of this matter

John

Chapter 15

¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser²Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he will take away. And each one that does bear fruit, he will cleanse, so that it may bring forth more fruit³You are clean now, because of the word that I have spoken to you⁴Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so also are you unable, unless you abide in me⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without me, you are able to do nothing⁶If anyone does not abide in me, he will be cast away, like a branch, and he will wither, and they will gather him and cast him into the fire, and he burns⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, then you may ask for whatever you will, and it shall be done for you⁸In this, my Father is glorified: that you should bring forth very much fruit and become my disciples

Sermon

The first reading from Acts 15.1-6 describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian Church. Certain individuals from Judea insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses to be saved. This caused great debate, leading to the decision that Paul, Barnabas, and others should travel to Jerusalem to resolve the issue. The reading highlights the tension between Jewish and Gentile believers and the Church’s effort to maintain unity amidst differing traditions. The apostles and elders gathered to address this matter, setting the stage for the Council of Jerusalem, which would ultimately declare that Gentiles did not need to observe the full Law of Moses to be part of the Christian community. The Gospel reading from John 15.1-8 shifts our focus to Jesus’ teachings about the relationship between the vine and the branches. Jesus declares Himself to be the true vine, and His Father the vinedresser. He emphasizes that branches (His followers) must abide in Him to bear fruit. Those who do not remain in Him are unable to produce fruit and are eventually cut away. This passage underscores the necessity of remaining connected to Christ, for it is only through this union that believers can live fruitful and meaningful lives. Jesus also promises that if His words abide in us, our prayers will be answered, and we will bring glory to the Father by bearing much fruit. Both readings speak to the theme of unity and dependence on God. In Acts, the early Church works to maintain unity despite differences, recognizing that faith in Christ is sufficient for salvation. In John, Jesus teaches that spiritual life and fruitfulness come only through abiding in Him. Together, these readings remind us that our relationship with God and with one another is essential. As branches on the vine, we must stay connected to Christ through prayer, sacraments, and living out His teachings. In our daily lives, this means trusting in God’s grace, seeking unity with others, and striving to bear fruit through acts of love and service. May we abide in Christ, allowing His words to guide us, so that we may glorify the Father and live as true disciples of Jesus.