Daily Readings - Wed May 05 2021
Acts
1And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
John
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 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.