"I AM THE VINE YOU ARE THE BRANCHES"
First Reading: Acts 9:26-31
Second Reading: 1Jn 3:18-24
Gospel Reading: Jn 15:1-8
* First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives us some glimpse to Paul's change from a persecutor to a disciple. Paul was known to be a persecutor of Christians. When he wanted to join Christian community after his Damascus experience and subsequent conversion, he was not accepted by them. So Barnabas a disciple of standing in the church , introduced Paul to the Apostles. Paul started preaching boldly in Jerusalem but some Jews tried to kill him. So Paul was sent to Tarsus to give witness there. Christian community grew in strength.
* Second Reading from first letter of St. John , tells us that if we wish to live as God wants, we must keep His commandments. That is we should believe in the name of Jesus and love one another as he commanded us. Those who keep his commdments are united to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is present in them.
* HE WHO ABIDES IN ME AND I IN HIM, BEARS MUCH FRUIT"
In the Gospel from St. John, Jesus speaks of the intimate bond between Jesus and his disciples. This bond is compared to that of the vine and its branches. Branches have to be united with the vine to produce fruits. If the branches are cut off from the vine, it can't produce fruits. So also if we are not united with Jesus, we cannot produce good fruits. Gospel also speaks of two types of branches. One that produces fruits which will be prunned to produce more fruits. There are also branches that do not produce fruits, which will be cut off.
* We are united to Jesus through our baptism.
But are we fruit producing branches or branches that produce no fruits ?
-If we are fruit bearing branches, we have to be prepared to be pruned so that we may be more fruitful.
- If we are branches that produce no fruits, it is time we change our ways so that we also produce fruits, let we be cut away.
LET OUR FAITH BE SEEN IN ACTION
