Daily Readings - Wed May 05 2021
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 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.