Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 5, 2021
First Reading: Acts 15.1-6
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
Psalm 122
1A Canticle in steps. I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: "We shall go into the house of the Lord.2Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem3Jerusalem has been built as a city, whose participation is unto itself4For to that place, the tribes ascended, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to confess to the name of the Lord5For in that place, seats have sat down in judgment, seats above the house of David6Petition for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for abundance for those who love you7Let peace be in your virtue, and abundance in your towers8For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors, I spoke peace about you9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I sought good things for you
Gospel: John 15.1-8
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 encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Acts 15:1-6 describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian Church where leaders gathered to resolve a dispute over whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish customs like circumcision. This council exemplifies the church's commitment to unity and inclusion, deciding that faith in Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for salvation, thus welcoming Gentiles without additional burdens. The second reading, John 15:1-8, is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, where He uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the essential relationship between Himself and His followers. Jesus emphasizes that our ability to bear fruit comes from abiding in Him, much like branches rely on the vine for nourishment.
Both readings highlight the theme of unity and connection. In Acts, the unity of the early church is evident as they navigate differences and reach a decision that promotes harmony and inclusion. In John, Jesus underscores the necessity of remaining connected to Him as the source of spiritual life and fruitfulness. This connection is not just individual but communal, as we are all branches of the same vine, called to support and nurture one another. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is both personal and communal, requiring us to stay rooted in Christ and to work towards unity in our diverse body of believers.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are called to examine how we stay connected to Christ and how we foster unity with others. Just as the early church listened to the Spirit and reached a decision that embraced Gentiles, we too must be open to the Spirit’s guidance in our own lives and communities. We are to abide in Christ through prayer, sacraments, and living out His teachings. Additionally, we are to bear fruit by loving and serving others, which is only possible when we remain connected to the vine. Let us strive to be branches that bring joy and life to those around us, remembering that without Christ, we can do nothing, but with Him, we can bear much fruit.