First Reading (Acts 15:7-21)
Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, after much discussion, Peter stood up and addressed the apostles and elders: “Brothers, you know that from the earliest days God made a choice among you that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the Gospel and believe.
God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Now then, why are you putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are”.
The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.
After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name.
This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago’.
Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God,
but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.
For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (John 15:9-11)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “As my Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in the his love. I have told you this, so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you on this blessed day. It is with great joy that we gather today to reflect on the Holy Scriptures and seek divine guidance for our lives. Allow me to begin our homily with a captivating hook that directly connects us to our daily experiences.
Imagine yourself walking through a bustling city, surrounded by hurried and distracted people. You observe the tired and worried expressions on their faces. For a moment, you feel out of place, wondering, “What is missing in this scene? What are these people searching for?”
Dear ones, the answer lies in the words of the Gospel proclaimed today. Jesus tells us: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener” (John 15:1). What a powerful message! Jesus compares Himself to a vine, and we are the branches. This imagery invites us to reflect on our connection with Christ and the importance of remaining united to Him.
Just as a vine provides food and sustenance to the branches, Jesus is the source of life and grace for us. He invites us to remain in Him, to seek our spiritual nourishment from Him. But what does it mean to remain in Jesus?
Dear brothers and sisters, to remain in Jesus implies having a deep and intimate relationship with Him. It means being rooted in His Word, seeking His will in our lives, and living according to His teachings. It is through this union with Christ that we find true meaning and purpose.
Let us look at the first reading, which tells us the story of the Council of Jerusalem. The Christian community was facing a major controversy regarding the need to observe Jewish law. Some argued that converted Gentiles should follow all Jewish traditions, while others advocated for freedom in Christ.
In this context, the apostles and elders gathered to discern God’s will. They listened to the testimonies and arguments presented and, guided by the Holy Spirit, reached a unanimous decision. They wrote a letter to the converted Gentiles, affirming that they were not required to observe the entire Jewish law but should abstain from certain immoral practices.
This story teaches us about the importance of remaining in Jesus amidst controversies and challenges in life. The apostles sought God’s will through prayer and communal discernment, trusting in the direction of the Holy Spirit. They recognized that union with Christ was more important than the observance of external practices.
Dear ones, we are also called to remain in Jesus, especially when we face challenges and divisions in our community. Instead of clinging to our own opinions and preferences, we should seek God’s will and strive for unity in Christ. This requires humility, openness to dialogue, and a willingness to listen to one another.
Remaining in Jesus also involves pruning. Jesus tells us, “Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:2). Pruning can be a painful process, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth.
Just as a gardener prunes the vine to remove unproductive branches and promote healthy growth, God also prunes us. He purifies us from everything that hinders us from bearing fruit and molds us into the image of His Son. Pruning may come in the form of challenges, trials, and even fraternal corrections. But we must remember that it is through pruning that we are strengthened and empowered to bear abundant fruit.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on the spiritual truths contained in these biblical passages, it is important to make them tangible and applicable to our daily lives. Let me share a story that illustrates these principles.
Once there was a gardener who tended to a beautiful garden with various plants and flowers. He noticed that one of his rose bushes had dry and withered branches, showing no signs of life. He decided to prune it, removing the dead branches and cutting away the damaged parts.
The other gardeners watched curiously as the gardener pruned the rose bush. They wondered why he was cutting a seemingly healthy plant. But the gardener knew what he was doing. He knew that pruning was necessary for the rose bush to flourish again.
Over time, the rose bush began to show signs of life. New shoots emerged, and flowers began to bloom. Pruning had rejuvenated the rose bush and turned it into a beautiful work of art in God’s creation.
Dear brothers and sisters, like the rose bush, we too may go through pruning moments in our lives. God may remove things that are not helping us grow spiritually. This may include toxic relationships, harmful habits, or even certain personal ambitions that draw us away from our relationship with Him.
But we must remember that pruning is not an end in itself. It is a process that equips us to bear abundant fruit. As we are pruned, we are called to pursue a life of righteousness, love, and service to others. We must allow God to work in us, shaping us into the image of His Son, so that we may be living witnesses of His love in the world.
In this process of pruning and spiritual growth, it is also important to remember that we are not alone. We are part of a community of faith, where we can find support, encouragement, and guidance. Just as the apostles gathered to discern God’s will at the Council of Jerusalem, we too must seek the wisdom and direction of our brothers and sisters in faith.
Dear ones, as we conclude our reflection, I challenge you to act according to the message we have received today. First, I invite you to seek a deeper connection with Jesus Christ. Dedicate daily time to prayer, reading the Word of God, and participating in the sacraments. Allow this union with Christ to transform your lives and fill them with love, joy, and peace.
Second, I ask you to embrace the process of pruning in your lives. Be willing to let go of what hinders your spiritual growth and embrace what promotes a life of holiness and generous service to others. Remember that pruning may be painful, but it is a necessary process for us to flourish and bear abundant fruit.
Finally, I encourage you to remain united as a community of faith. Support one another, seek unity in Christ, and work together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God in this world. May your lives be a living testimony of God’s love, grace, and hope.
Dear brothers and sisters, may this homily have touched your hearts and inspired you to seek a deeper life in Christ. Remember that you are branches of the true vine, called to remain in Jesus and bear abundant fruit. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you on this spiritual journey. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
