Reading 1
Acts 15:1-6
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.
Gospel
Jn 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.”
Meditation: John 15:1-8
I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15:5)
What a perfect image for our relationship with Jesus! It tells us that Jesus wants to suffuse us with life—his life, one that looks very different from the life we experience when we are not being nourished by the Lord.
So just what is it that Jesus gives us that we can’t get on our own? It’s not that we haven’t been endowed with natural gifts of creativity, curiosity, or intelligence. Through education and perseverance, we can develop these gifts and accomplish many good things. But being connected with Jesus, being nourished by him, fills these gifts and talents with new meaning, excitement, and purpose. It also means that we have divine life within us—and that involves even greater, spiritual gifts.
For example, as we stay connected to the Lord, we will find that our relationships are even more fulfilling. We will find divine strength to help us get through a difficult situation. We have greater clarity about challenging situations like difficult relationships or problems at work. We find ourselves being more generous, more willing to forgive, and more compassionate and caring. We will find a joy that comes from deep within us, no matter what our circumstances. And above all of this, we will find a peace “that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
All these blessings come to us as we are attached to Jesus. God has made us resilient and resourceful, but he wants to give us more. He wants to give us divine attributes that are fruits of his own Spirit, attributes that allow us to live a heavenly life, even as we go about our earthly duties.
So let’s seal the image of a vine and branches firmly in our minds. Let’s picture this branch as being strong and vital, bearing abundant fruit year after year. Let’s allow this image to encourage us to keep on abiding in Christ. As we do, we will find our lives changing—in the way we think and act, in our relationships, and even our outlook on life. This image, fixed in our minds, can even help us say no to temptation simply because we don’t want to lose the flow of divine life in our hearts.
“Lord, graft on my heart the image of you as the vine and me as the branch. May I never forget how much I need you!”
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