Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 287
Lectionary: 287
Some who had come
down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved.”
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters
about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the Church,
and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria
telling of the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all the brethren.
When they arrived in Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church,
as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,
and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved.”
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters
about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the Church,
and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria
telling of the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all the brethren.
When they arrived in Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church,
as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,
and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
R. (see 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus said to his
disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Meditation: "Abide
in me, and I in you"
Why does Jesus speak of himself as the true
vine? The image of the vine was a rich one for the Jews since the land of
Israel was covered with numerous vineyards. It had religious connotations to it
as well. Isaiah spoke of the house of Israel as "the vineyard of
the Lord"(Isaiah 5:7). Jeremiah said that God had planted Israel "as
his choice vine" (Jeremiah 2:21). While the vine became a symbol
of Israel as a nation, it also was used in the scriptures as a sign of
degeneration. Isaiah's prophecy spoke of Israel as a vineyard which "yielded
wild grapes" (see Isaiah 5:1-7). Jeremiah said that Israel had
become a"degenerate and wild vine" (Jeremiah 2:21). When
Jesus calls himself the true vine he makes clear that no one
can claim their spiritual inheritance through association with a particular
people or bloodline. Rather, it is only through Jesus Christ that one can
become grafted into the true "vineyard of the Lord".
Jesus offers true life - the abundant life which
comes from God and which results in great fruitfulness. How does the vine
become fruitful? The vine dresser must carefully prune the vine before it can
bear good fruit. Vines characteristically have two kinds of branches - those
which bear fruit and those which don't. The non-bearing branches must be
carefully pruned back in order for the vine to conserve its strength for
bearing good fruit. Jesus used this image to describe the kind of life he
produces in those who are united with him - the fruit of "righteousness,
peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Jesus says
there can be no fruit in our lives apart from him. The fruit he speaks of here
is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).
There is a simple truth here: We are either
fruit-bearing or non-fruit-bearing. There is no in-between. But the bearing of
healthy fruit requires drastic pruning. The Lord promises that we will bear
much fruit if we abide in him and allow him to purify us. Do you trust in the
Lord's abiding presence with you?
"Lord Jesus, may I be one with you in all
that I say and do. Draw me close that I may glorify you and bear fruit for your
kingdom. Inflame my heart with your love and remove from it anything that would
make me ineffective or unfruitful in loving and serving you as my All."
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, JOHN 15:1-8
Easter Weekday
(Acts 15:1-6; Psalm 122)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 15:1-6; Psalm 122)
KEY VERSE: "I am the vine, you are the branches" (v 5).
TO READ: Isaiah used the metaphor of a vineyard to describe Israel's relationship with God, whom he imaged as the vine grower (Is 5:1-7). Although Israel was tenderly nurtured by God, it failed to produce fruit. Jesus declared that he was the "true vine" that had been planted in his Father's vineyard. The life of the Father flowed through Jesus who in turn gave life to those who were united to him. Those who chose to separate themselves from him became like withered branches, which were only good for fuel for the fire. The good branches would be pruned so as to increase their yield. In union with Jesus, the Church would be the "new Israel" that glorified God when its members led fruitful lives.
TO REFLECT: Do I produce good fruit in my life as a testimony to my union with Christ?
TO RESPOND: Risen Lord, continue to nourish your Church to produce good fruit.
Wednesday 6 May 2015
Acts 15:1-6. Let us go
rejoicing to the house of the Lord—Ps 121(122):1-5. John 15:1-8.
Readings
‘Every branch in me that
bears no fruit he cuts away.’
I had been struggling for some time with a
small decision about a regular commitment. Today as I prayed this passage from
John’s gospel I found the decision came easily.
Over a period this commitment had not borne
fruit as I had hoped. God had been asking me to listen but I persisted on
having a deaf ear. I am grateful to God now for showing me the way. The work I
had done in that commitment will still get my ‘yes’ through another commitment.
God has called me there and frequently lets me know that. Thank you, Lord, for
that backing.
Lord, I am grateful to be part of your vine
and to be able to respond to your call.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Share the Love
|
As we befriend those who are paralyzed by fear, illness, failure,
or loss, we are loving them as Christ would. We are building holy and beautiful
relationships with the people God has entrusted to our care. Our mission, if we
choose to accept it, is to carry our friends to Jesus.
May
6
Sts. Marian and James
(d. 259)
Sts. Marian and James
(d. 259)
Often, it’s hard to find much detail from the lives of saints of
the early Church. What we know about the third-century martyrs we honor today
is likewise minimal. But we do know that they lived and died for the faith.
Almost 2,000 years later, that is enough reason to honor them.
Born in
North Africa, Marian was a lector or reader; James was a deacon. For their
devotion to the faith they suffered during the persecution of Valerian.
Prior to
their persecution, Marian and James were visited by two bishops who encouraged
them in the faith not long before they themselves were martyred. A short time
later, Marian and James were arrested and interrogated. The two readily
confessed their faith and, for that, were tortured. While in prison they are
said to have experienced visions, including one of the two bishops who had
visited them earlier.
On the
last day of their lives, Marian and James joined other Christians facing
martyrdom. They were blindfolded and then put to death. Their bodies were
thrown into the water. The year was 259.
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 15,1-8
Lectio:
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Easter Time
1)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God, loving Father,
you have given us your Son Jesus Christ
as the true vine of life
and our source of strength.
Help us to live his life
as living branches attached to the vine,
and to bear plenty of fruit
of justice, goodness and love.
Let our union with him become visible
in our openness to one another
and in our unity as brothers and sisters,
that he may be visibly present among us
now and for ever.
you have given us your Son Jesus Christ
as the true vine of life
and our source of strength.
Help us to live his life
as living branches attached to the vine,
and to bear plenty of fruit
of justice, goodness and love.
Let our union with him become visible
in our openness to one another
and in our unity as brothers and sisters,
that he may be visibly present among us
now and for ever.
2)
GOSPEL READING - JOHN 15,1-8
Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my
Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You
are clean already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Remain in me, as I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by
itself, unless it remains part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain
in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in
him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who
does not remain in me is thrown away like a branch -- and withers; these
branches are collected and thrown on the fire and are burnt. If you remain in
me and my words remain in you, you may ask for whatever you please and you will
get it. It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit and be my
disciples.
3)
REFLECTION
• Chapters 15 to 17 of the Gospel of John present to us the
diverse teachings of Jesus which the Evangelist has put together and placed in
the friendly and fraternal context of the last encounter of Jesus with his
disciples:
Jn 15, 1-17: Reflections around the parable of the vine.
Jn 15, 18 to 16, 4a: Advice of how to behave if we are
persecuted.
Jn 16, 4b-15: Promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jn 16, 16-33: Reflections on the farewell and the return of
Jesus.
Jn 17, 1-26: The Testament of Jesus in the form of a prayer.
• The Gospels of today and of tomorrow present part of the
reflection of Jesus around the parable of the vine. To understand well all the
significance of this parable, it is important to study well the words used by
Jesus. And it is also important to observe closely a vine or any other plant to
see how it grows and how it becomes united to the trunk and the branches, and
how the fruit springs from the trunk and the branches.
• John 15, 1-2: Jesus presents the comparison of the vine. In
the Old Testament the image of the vine indicated the People of Israel (Is 5,
1-2). The people were like a vine that God planted with great tenderness on the
hills of Palestine (Ps 80, 9-12). But the vine does not correspond to that
which God expected. Instead of producing good grapes it produces sour fruit
which is good for nothing (Is 5, 3-4). Jesus is the new vine, the true vine. In
one phrase alone he gives us the comparison. He says: “I am the true vine and
my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts
away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even
more.” Pruning is painful, but it is necessary. It purifies the vine, and thus
it grows and bears more fruit.
• John 15, 3-6: Jesus explains and applies the parable. The
disciples are already purified. They have already been pruned by the word that
they heard from Jesus. Up until today, God does the pruning in us through his
Word which comes to us from the Bible and from many other means. Jesus extends
the parable and says: “I am the vine, you are the branches!” It is not a
question of two different things: on one side the vine and on the other the
branches. No! The vine does not exist without the branches. We are part of Jesus.
Jesus is the whole. In order that a branch can produce fruit, it has to be
united to the vine. It is only in this way that it can receive the sap.
“Without me you can do nothing!” The branch that does not bear fruit will be
cut down. It dries up and it is ready to be burnt. It is good for nothing, not
even for wood!
• John 15, 7-8: Remain in my love. Our model is that which Jesus
himself lives in his relationship with the Father. He says: “As the Father has
loved me, I have loved you. Remain in my love!” He insists in saying that we
must remain in him and that his words should remain in us. And he even says:
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for whatever you
please and you will get it!” Because what the Father wants the most is that we
become disciples of Jesus and, thus, that we bear much fruit.
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Which has been the different pruning or the difficult moments
in my life which have helped me to grow? Which has been the pruning or the
difficult moments that we have had in our community and which have helped us to
grow?
• What keeps the life united and alive, capable of bearing
fruit, is the sap which goes through it. Which is the sap which goes through
our community and which keeps it alive, capable of bearing fruit?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Sing a new song to Yahweh!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Sing to Yahweh, bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation day after day. (Ps 96,1-2)
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Sing to Yahweh, bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation day after day. (Ps 96,1-2)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét