Daily Readings - Sun Apr 28 2024
Acts
26And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.28So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.29And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.30And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
1 John
18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.19By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;20for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;22and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.23And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.24Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
John
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.2Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the essential relationship between faith, love, and unity. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community thriving because of their shared faith and mutual support. Barnabas, in particular, stands out as a model of trust and encouragement, helping Saul (Paul) to integrate into the community despite his past persecution of believers. This passage highlights the importance of living out our faith in community and being open to giving others a chance to grow and contribute.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this message by emphasizing that true love is not just in words but in actions. John reminds us that our faith is demonstrated through our deeds and our willingness to follow God’s commandments. He also reassures us that even when we feel unworthy or uncertain, God’s love and mercy are greater than our doubts. This reading invites us to reflect on how we express our love for God and for one another in tangible ways.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches to teach us about our dependence on him. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own, we cannot live a fruitful spiritual life apart from Christ. Jesus calls us to abide in him, to remain connected to him through prayer, his word, and the sacraments. This union with Christ is not just for our own benefit but also for the sake of others, as we are called to bear fruit by living out his love and truth in the world.
Today’s readings, therefore, call us to examine our lives and ask: Are we living as part of a community that supports and encourages one another? Are we expressing our faith through concrete actions of love and service? Are we staying connected to Christ, the true vine, so that we can bear fruit that glorifies God? Let us strive to abide in Christ, to love in deed and truth, and to trust in God’s presence and guidance in our lives.