Daily Readings - Wed May 01 2024

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 readings today invite us to reflect on unity and our connection to Christ. In the first reading from Acts, the early church faces a significant disagreement about whether Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish customs like circumcision to be saved. This debate leads to a gathering in Jerusalem, where the Apostles and elders discern God's will, ultimately deciding that Gentiles do not need to follow the full Mosaic law, emphasizing faith in Jesus as sufficient for salvation. This moment is pivotal, showing the church's commitment to unity amidst diversity. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate our relationship with Him. He is the vine, and we are the branches. Jesus emphasizes that apart from Him, we can do nothing—our spiritual life and fruitfulness depend on abiding in Him. This image underscores the necessity of staying connected to Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and living according to His teachings. These readings remind us that unity and connection to Christ are vital. Just as the early church navigated differences to maintain unity, we too must work towards harmony within our communities. By abiding in Christ, we find the strength to overcome divisions and bear fruit in our lives. Let us strive to stay connected to Jesus, the true vine, and foster unity, allowing His love to flow through us, transforming our lives and the world around us.