UNION WITH THE RISEN LORD (The vine and the branches)
First Reading: Acts 9: 26-31
Second Reading: 1 John 3: 18-24
Gospel Reading: John 15: 1-8
*First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Paul's conversion and subsequent happenings are narrated. Paul who was a fierce persecutor of the Christians was dramatically transformed by the powerful intervention of the risen Lord. Paul (Saul) persecuted Christians in and around Jerusalem. But after his Damascus experience and subsequent conversion Paul wanted to join the Christian community at Jerusalem. But he found it difficult to be accepted by the community. So Barnabas a disciple of good repute, introduced Paul to the Apostles. Paul started to preach boldly in Jerusalem but the Jews there tried to kill him. So he was sent to Tarsus. The early Church grew in strength in spite of much opposition.
*Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John tells us that if we wish to live as God wants we must keep His commandments. That would mean that we should believe in the name of Jesus and love one another as he commanded us to do. Those who keep the commandments are united to Him and the presence of the Holy Spirit is with them.
The abiding presence of the risen Lord in the believer Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus speaks about the intimate and deep bond between Him and those who believe in Him. This relationship is compared to that of the vine and its branches. Branches have to be united to the vine in order to produce fruits. If the branches are cut off from the vine it cannot be fruitful. Gospel also mentions about two types of branches. The first type are fruit- bearing which will be pruned to produce more fruits. The second type of branches do not produce fruits, consequently they will be cut off from the vine. We are united with Jesus through our baptism. Hence if we are fruit-bearing branches we have to be prepared to be pruned to produce more fruits. But if we are branches that do not produce fruits it is time to change our ways so that we too produce fruits, lest we be cut off from the Lord. Let our life be always in union with the risen Lord and be like the branches that are united with the vine.
"To start anew from Christ means being close to Him, being close to Jesus. Jesus stresses the importance of this with the disciple at the Last Supper, as He prepares to give us His own greatest gifts of love, His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches and says, 'Abide in my love, remain attached to me, as the branch is attached to the vine'. If we are joined to Him, then we are able to bear fruit." - Pope Francis.
No comments:
Post a Comment