Fifth Week of Easter
“I am the vine. You are the branches.” On the Fifth Sunday of Easter we have the wonderful reading from John’s gospel about Jesus as the vine. We are the branches that are pruned to bear more fruit. The powerful invitation is to remain connected with Jesus, that we might make our home in him, and bear much fruit.
Monday is the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles, with its own special readings.
In the continuing weekday readings from the Acts of the Apostles, we see Paul and Barnabas preaching to the Gentiles. They encounter some who want to make them gods; others who want to stone them. A major discussion is held about whether a Gentile had to become a Jew before becoming a Christian. Peter declared that God granted Gentiles “the Holy Spirit just as he did us” and urged them not to burden Gentiles with the difficult Jewish laws. The group turned to the Holy Spirit and prayed for guidance and decided that Gentiles did not have to adhere to all Jewish laws. Paul followed the Spirit to expand his travels, ending with his decision to go to Macedonia.
John’s Gospel continues the “Last Discourse” of Jesus, taking chapters 14 and 15 of the Fourth Gospel during the weekdays. These gospels offer a layered and poetic look at the kind of inseparable love we share with God. “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” He promises the Holy Spirit who “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” He offers us peace and encourages us “not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” He tells his followers, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.” Saturday, Jesus reminds us that if the world didn’t like his announcing and living of this good news, then it won’t like our announcing and living it either.
On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we hear the powerful words that Jesus uses to send us on our mission: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.”
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