Separated from Jesus, we are not able to bear fruit.
“Apart from me, you can do nothing.”

 

St. John I, pope & martry 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Acts 15:1-6

Some persons

Who had come from Judea to Antioch were teaching the brothers in this way, “Unless you are circumcised according to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Because of this there was trouble, and Paul and Barnabas had fierce arguments with them. For Paul told the people to remain as they were when they became believers. Finally those who had come from Jerusalem suggested that Paul and Barnabas and some others go up to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders.

 They were sent on their way by the Church. As they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they reported how the non-Jews had turned to God, and there was great joy among all the brothers and sisters.

On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, the apostles and the elders, to whom they told all that God had done through them.  Some believers, however, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees, stood up and said that non-Jewish men must be cir­cum­­cised and instructed to keep the law of Moses.  So the apostles and elders met together to consider this matter.

 

Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

Let us go rejoicing at the house of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine and my Father is the vine­grower.  If any of my branches doesn’t bear fruit, he breaks it off; and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.

 You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you;   live in me as I live in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you if you don’t remain in me.

 I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.   Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away as they do with branches and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.   If you remain in me and my words in you, you may ask whatever you want and it will be given to you.  My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples.

If you remain in me and my words in you, you may ask whatever you want and it will be given to you.   My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Vine-ing the Branch

Jesus compares the relationship between himself and a disciple to the relation between vine and the branches. Why does he choose the example of vine? Well, he ordinarily uses examples from the everyday living contexts of his listeners so that they can easily understand his message.

Yet another possible reason is the unique relation vine has with its branches. Unlike other plants or trees, is no definable, distinguishable break between vine and its branches. You never know where the stem ends and the branch begins. The stem /s the branch.

Anyone who is in Christ is so: there is no definable point in him or her where Christ ends and the other begins. When we abide in him, it is Christ who abides in us all the way. This is what impelled Paul to say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20)