Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 29, 2018
First Reading: Acts 9.26-31
26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Psalm 22
1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?2O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.9But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.20Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.21Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.28For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Second Reading: 1 John 3.18-24
18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Gospel: John 15.1-8
1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about unity, love, and our connection to God. The first reading from Acts recounts Paul's journey as he joins the early Christian community in Jerusalem, with Barnabas's support, and his courageous preaching to the Gentiles. This passage highlights the unity and growth of the early church, despite the challenges they faced. The second reading from 1 John emphasizes the importance of expressing love through actions rather than just words, and the necessity of obeying God's commandments. The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the vine, teaching us that our ability to bear fruit depends on our connection to Him.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of relationship and unity. Just as the early church found strength in their unity and faith, we too are called to live in harmony with one another. The second reading underscores that genuine love is demonstrated through our actions and obedience to God's will. The Gospel reinforces this by illustrating that our spiritual vitality and effectiveness in serving others stem from our abiding relationship with Jesus.
In our daily lives, these teachings remind us to stay connected to God through prayer and community. By loving others through our actions and remaining faithful to God's commandments, we bear fruit that glorifies Him. Let us strive to maintain a deep connection with Jesus, allowing His love to flow through us, so that we may serve others and bring joy to God's heart.