Fifth Sunday of Easter
28th April 2024 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 9:26-31
In those days: When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Psalm 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32 (R. 26a)
R/. You are my praise, Lord, in the great assembly.
Second Reading: 1 John 3:18-24
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord; whoever abides in me bears much fruit..
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 15:1-8
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Guidelines: Inseparable attachment to God and abundant fruitfulness in a life of good actions is an authentic testimony of being disciples of Christ
1. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Abide in me”, Jesus convincingly announces in the gospel. In the first place, the very imagery itself implies the inseparable union between the Lord and his disciples. For, apart from the Vine, the branches cannot live, cannot grow, cannot bear fruit. A branch that is not connected with the Vine, withers and is burnt off.
2. In the same way, a Christian should be close to Jesus and united with him, for life, for growth and for fruition. The same idea of union and blossoming is also strong and clear in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The terms used are similar: “the early church had peace, was being built up”; there was fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit”.
3. At this point, it is very clear, why today many seem lifeless, without any brightness and vigour of life, even though they have at their disposal all that the world can offer. Many seem stifled and stunted in their growth, even though they have ample opportunities and talents of knowledge and competence. Many seem fruitless, joyless and meaningless, even though they ride on all glory, success and fulfillment, in the sight of the world. It is only because their inner connectedness with God is disconnected.
4. How right are the words of the psalmist in psalm 127: if the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour, if the Lord does not keep vigil, in vain do the guards keep vigil. The world of today, puffed up by its progress and technology, feels so self-sufficient, self-complacent and self-directed, and tries vehemently to do away with God. Hence so much sense of emptiness, suffocation and dissatisfaction.
5. However the branches that bear fruit, too will have to undergo the pain of “pruning”, so as to make them flourish faster. While being pruned, that is, going through moments of adversity and affliction, is certainly painful. But its result is very positive and rewarding. There is growth and abundant fruition. Therefore, our concern must not be so much on the pain of the pruning, but on the fruit and consequences, the effect and result of such pruning.
6. In fact the best way to prove to be true disciples and give fitting glory to God, is not so much by glorifying in words, or by convention or conventions or titles or traditions, but rather by bearing much fruit in a life of good actions and life witness. It is in this sense, the second reading from John’ s first letter also exhorts, not to limit our faith only to word and talk, but live it in deed and truth. This is manifested in loving God, abiding in Him, keeping his commandments and loving one another.
7. What about our linking and inseparability with our main stem of the Vine? Are we close and attached to the Lord? Do we derive from the Vine our required nourishment and strength? The more we tend to be unconnected or disconnected, the more will we will be affected and infected. Do we realize that certain pruning by way of suffering and difficulty is bound to happen? Do we accept it willingly and grow strong and well- regulated? Do we glorify God merely with words and certain ceremonies and practice? Or, we render the best glory to God, by living our discipleship and bearing abundant fruits?
Practice: Being connected to God is the greatest safety measure against all withering and is a drive toward growth and fruitfulness.
