Daily Readings - Wed May 13 2020

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

In today's readings, we explore themes of unity, spiritual growth, and dependence on Christ. The first reading from Acts 15:1-6 describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian church where a dispute arises over whether Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish traditions like circumcision. This conflict leads to a gathering in Jerusalem, where the Apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, decide that faith in Christ is sufficient for salvation, embracing Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens. This decision reflects the church's growing understanding of its universal mission and the unity found in Christ. The Gospel reading, John 15:1-8, uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate our dependence on Christ. Jesus, the vine, nourishes us, and we, as branches, must abide in Him to bear fruit. This metaphor emphasizes that our spiritual vitality and productivity stem from our connection to Him. Just as branches cannot thrive on their own, we cannot live a fruitful Christian life without abiding in Christ. These readings connect in their emphasis on unity and dependence on Christ. The early church's decision to include Gentiles without circumcision reflects their recognition that true life comes from Christ, not external practices. Similarly, the vine metaphor reminds us that our spiritual life flows from abiding in Christ. In our daily lives, this means embracing unity, letting go of unnecessary divisions, and nurturing our connection to Christ. By doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, leading to a fruitful and united spiritual life. The moral lesson here is clear: our strength and unity come from Christ, and by abiding in Him, we bear fruit that glorifies God.