Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and
Doctor of the Church
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.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5
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.
AlleluiaJN 15:4A, 5B
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.
GospelJN 15:1-8
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 - a deformed state of spiritual growth and moral decline. 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).
One must be firmly rooted in the "Tree of
Life"
When Jesus calls himself the true vine he makes clear that no one can grow in spiritual fruitfulness and moral goodness unless they are rooted in God and in his life-giving word. Religious affiliation or association with spiritually minded people is not sufficient by itself - one must be firmly rooted in the "Tree of Life" (Revelation 22:1-2, Genesis 2:8-9) who is the eternal Father and his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus makes a claim which only God can make - he is the true source of life that sustains us and makes us fruitful in living the abundant life which God has for us. It is only through Jesus Christ that one can be fully grafted into the true "vineyard of the Lord".
When Jesus calls himself the true vine he makes clear that no one can grow in spiritual fruitfulness and moral goodness unless they are rooted in God and in his life-giving word. Religious affiliation or association with spiritually minded people is not sufficient by itself - one must be firmly rooted in the "Tree of Life" (Revelation 22:1-2, Genesis 2:8-9) who is the eternal Father and his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus makes a claim which only God can make - he is the true source of life that sustains us and makes us fruitful in living the abundant life which God has for us. It is only through Jesus Christ that one can be fully grafted into the true "vineyard of the Lord".
Bearing the fruit of righteousness, peace, and joy
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).
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 healing and transforming power to give you the abundant life and fruit
of his heavenly kingdom?
"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."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Cleansed by Jesus' word, by Basil the
Great, 329-379 A.D.
"So the world - life enslaved by
carnal passions - can no more receive the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye
can look at the light of a sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples'
lives through his teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and
contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the word I have
spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot receive him, because it
neither sees him nor knows him... You know him, for he dwells with you' (John
14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who settled the earth and the things in it; and gives
breath to the people on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5).
From this we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above
them become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53)
WEDNESDAY,
MAY 2, JOHN 15:1-8
(Acts 15:1-6; Psalm 122)
(Acts 15:1-6; Psalm 122)
KEY VERSE: "I am the vine, you are the branches" (v.5).
TO KNOW: Isaiah used the metaphor of a vineyard to describe Israel's relationship with God, who was 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 LOVE: Do I produce good fruit in my life as a testimony to my union with Christ?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, continue to nourish your Church to produce good fruit.
Memorial of Saint Athanasius,
bishop and doctor of the Church
Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt, towards the end of the third century, and from his youth was pious and deeply versed in the sacred writings. While still a deacon, he was chosen by Alexander, his bishop, to go with him to the Council of Nicea, A.D. 325. There Athanasius defended the Church against the Arian heresy, which denied the Divinity of Christ. When Alexander was dying, he recommended Athanasius to be his successor as Patriarch of Alexandria, and he served in that office for forty-six years. When the dispute over Arianism spilled over from theology to politics, Athanasius was exiled five times, and spent more than a third of his episcopate in exile. He is a biographer of Saint Anthony the Abbot, a Confessor of the faith and Doctor of the Church.
NOTE: Arianism taught that Christ was a creation of the Father, a creature, and not part of God. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed.
Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt, towards the end of the third century, and from his youth was pious and deeply versed in the sacred writings. While still a deacon, he was chosen by Alexander, his bishop, to go with him to the Council of Nicea, A.D. 325. There Athanasius defended the Church against the Arian heresy, which denied the Divinity of Christ. When Alexander was dying, he recommended Athanasius to be his successor as Patriarch of Alexandria, and he served in that office for forty-six years. When the dispute over Arianism spilled over from theology to politics, Athanasius was exiled five times, and spent more than a third of his episcopate in exile. He is a biographer of Saint Anthony the Abbot, a Confessor of the faith and Doctor of the Church.
NOTE: Arianism taught that Christ was a creation of the Father, a creature, and not part of God. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed.
Wednesday 2 May
2018
St Athanasius.
Acts 15:1-6. Psalm 121(122):1-5. John 15:1-8.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord —Psalm 121(122):1-5
You are pruned already by means of the word I have spoken to
you.
This is a most encouraging word from today’s Gospel. If you
happen to have grape vines at home or live near a grape-growing area you know
that once vintage is over it is time to prune the vines.
We are moved in different ways by Jesus’ words, often depending
on what is happening in our lives. On some days there is joy or satisfaction,
like picking and eating grapes; on others there is a quieter, meditative mood
as happens when we prune our vines. Jesus, help us to recognise the ways in
which you prune and shape our hearts in the daily events of our lives.
Saint Athanasius
Saint of the Day for May 2
(c. 296 – May 2, 373)
 |
| an Atanasio | Maestro de San Ildefonso |
Saint Athanasius’ Story
Athanasius led a tumultuous but dedicated life of service to the
Church. He was the great champion of the faith against the widespread heresy of
Arianism, the teaching by Arius that Jesus was not truly divine. The vigor of
his writings earned him the title of doctor of the Church.
Born of a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt, and given a
classical education, Athanasius became secretary to Alexander, the bishop of
Alexandria, entered the priesthood and was eventually named bishop himself. His
predecessor, Alexander, had been an outspoken critic of a new movement growing
in the East—Arianism.
When Athanasius assumed his role as bishop of Alexandria, he
continued the fight against Arianism. At first, it seemed that the battle would
be easily won and that Arianism would be condemned. Such, however, did not prove
to be the case. The Council of Tyre was called and for several reasons that are
still unclear, the Emperor Constantine exiled Athanasius to northern Gaul. This
was to be the first in a series of travels and exiles reminiscent of the life
of Saint Paul.
After Constantine died, his son restored Athanasius as bishop.
This lasted only a year, however, for he was deposed once again by a coalition
of Arian bishops. Athanasius took his case to Rome, and Pope Julius I called a
synod to review the case and other related matters.
Five times Athanasius was exiled for his defense of the doctrine
of Christ’s divinity. During one period of his life, he enjoyed 10 years of
relative peace—reading, writing, and promoting the Christian life along the
lines of the monastic ideal to which he was greatly devoted. His dogmatic and
historical writings are almost all polemic, directed against every aspect of
Arianism.
Among his ascetical writings, his Life of St. Anthony achieved
astonishing popularity and contributed greatly to the establishment of monastic
life throughout the Western Christian world.
Reflection
Athanasius suffered many trials while he was bishop of
Alexandria. He was given the grace to remain strong against what probably
seemed at times to be insurmountable opposition. Athanasius lived his office as
bishop completely. He defended the true faith for his flock, regardless of the
cost to himself. In today’s world we are experiencing this same call to remain
true to our faith, no matter what.
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 15:1-8
Lectio Divina:
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Easter Season
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 plentiful 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 plentiful 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 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."
3) REFLECTION
• Chapters 15 to 17 of the Gospel of
John present us with 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 on 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 tomorrow
present part of the reflection of Jesus around the parable of the vine. To
understand the significance of this parable, it is important to carefully study
the words used by Jesus. It is also important to closely observe a vine, or any
other plant, to see how it grows: how the trunk and branches become united, and
how the fruit springs from each.
• John 15:1-2: Jesus presents the
analogy 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 what 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 vine dresser. 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. God does the pruning in us
through His word which comes to us from the Bible, from trials in our life (Rom
5:4; Heb 12:6), 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 to produce fruit, the branch 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 on 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 want and you will get it!”, because what the
Father wants most is that we become disciples of Jesus and that we bear much
fruit. And what is it that we should want? If we are to be like Jesus, it is
the same as what the Father wants, and that He grants.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• What have been the various pruning, or
difficult, moments in my life which have helped me to grow? What have been the
pruning or difficult moments that we have had in our community which have
helped us to grow?
• What keeps life unified and alive,
capable of bearing fruit, is the sap which goes through it. What is the sap
which goes through our community which keeps it alive, capable of bearing
fruit?
• Are those things that I ask of the
Father consistent with His will and desire, or my own?
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)
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