Daily Readings - Wed May 01 2024
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
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.