I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death,

and I ask God that the shedding of my blood served the peace of our divided Mexico.

 

St. Christopher Magallanes, priest, and companions, martyrs

＊＊＊ 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 to the house of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower. 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 remain 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 ：

"I am the vine..."

"The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine."

Without faith, life can seem cheap and death just a cold finality.

Yet, Tertullian said that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians."

In other words, the life and death of every person does have value and has an impact on others (Rom 14:7-12).

 

We bear fruit according to the manner of our lives and our deaths,

and they are most fruitful if they are lived in close union with Christ.

This was certainly the case in the lives of Saint Christopher Magallanes and companions,

the martyrs of Mexico. Saint Christopher defended the faith peacefully and when the government was closing seminaries,

 

he established a secret seminary in his parish. Having given away his remaining few possessions to his executioners,

he was killed without trial. His last words were, "I die innocent, and ask God that my blood may serve to unite my Mexican brethren."

Saint Christopher prayed that his death might bear fruits of peace and unity. May we live always in union with Christ,

the Vine, who gives us life and strength. May he make our lives abundant in goodness.