Daily Readings - Wed May 13 2020
Acts
1Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."2This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.3The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.5Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."6The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
John
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of unity, spiritual growth, and dependence on Christ. The first reading from Acts 15:1-6 describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian church where a dispute arises over whether Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish traditions like circumcision. This conflict leads to a gathering in Jerusalem, where the Apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, decide that faith in Christ is sufficient for salvation, embracing Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens. This decision reflects the church's growing understanding of its universal mission and the unity found in Christ.
The Gospel reading, John 15:1-8, uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate our dependence on Christ. Jesus, the vine, nourishes us, and we, as branches, must abide in Him to bear fruit. This metaphor emphasizes that our spiritual vitality and productivity stem from our connection to Him. Just as branches cannot thrive on their own, we cannot live a fruitful Christian life without abiding in Christ.
These readings connect in their emphasis on unity and dependence on Christ. The early church's decision to include Gentiles without circumcision reflects their recognition that true life comes from Christ, not external practices. Similarly, the vine metaphor reminds us that our spiritual life flows from abiding in Christ. In our daily lives, this means embracing unity, letting go of unnecessary divisions, and nurturing our connection to Christ. By doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, leading to a fruitful and united spiritual life. The moral lesson here is clear: our strength and unity come from Christ, and by abiding in Him, we bear fruit that glorifies God.