Daily Readings - Wed May 21 2025
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 spiritual journey. The first reading from Acts 15:1-6 presents a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, where a dispute arises over the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts. This conflict reflects the broader challenge of inclusion and unity as the church navigates its identity. The decision to seek guidance in Jerusalem underscores the importance of communal discernment and the pursuit of unity amidst diversity.
The Gospel reading from John 15:1-8 shifts our focus to the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers. Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to emphasize the essential connection we must maintain with Him. Just as branches draw sustenance from the vine, our spiritual vitality depends on abiding in Christ. This connection is not merely for survival but for abundant fruitfulness, as Jesus promises that our prayers will be answered and we will glorify the Father through our fruitful lives.
These readings together highlight the interplay between communal unity and personal spiritual life. The early church's ability to resolve conflicts and maintain unity was rooted in their connection to Christ, the vine. As we navigate our own challenges and disagreements, we are reminded to stay connected to Jesus through prayer and community. This connection empowers us to bear fruit in our actions and attitudes, fostering a spirit of love and unity. The moral lesson here is clear: our spiritual life must be both personally nourished and communally expressed, reflecting Jesus' command to love one another and bear fruit.