Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B – April 28, 2024.
Readings: Acts 9:26-31; Ps 21:26-28,30-32; 1 John 3:18-24; Gospel – John 15:1-8.
The first reading relates how Saul, a new convert to the Christian faith preached fearlessly in Jerusalem after Barnabas had introduced him to the Saints. The second reading charges that our love must not be only in words but in action as well. The gospel invites us to discipleship by being grafted on Christ, the vine. Jesus insists that by so doing: “You should bear much, and then you will be my disciples.”
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today’s liturgy charges us to be disciples of Jesus who are charged with the responsibility of pushing the frontiers of Church’s mission to the ends of the earth. Our reflection falls within the scope of the Easter Season as it invites us to fulfil the demands of contemporary discipleship.
Background and Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Acts 9:26-31) relates how Saul, a new convert to the Christian faith preached fearlessly in Jerusalem after Barnabas had introduced him to the Saints and explained how God arrested him in Damascus. It indicates how the Hellenists were determined to kill him which made the brothers to take him to Caesarea and then to Tarsus – it also noted that the Churches throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria lived in fear of the Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit as they continued to spread the Good News.
The second reading (1 John 3:18-24) charges that our love must not be only in words but in action as well. It assures that if we keep his commandments with a clear conscience, “we shall receive” whatever we ask God. It stresses that in doing so, we live in God and God lives in us.
The gospel (John 15:1-8) invites us to discipleship by being grafted on Christ, the vine. Jesus insists that by so doing: “You should bear much, and then you will be my disciples.” Jesus reveals himself as the true vine, and his father as the vinedresser. He further discloses that “as a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself but must remain part of the vine, neither can [we] unless [we] remain in [him].”
Pastoral Lessons
- Be Fearless: Amidst the current wars and persecution of Christians around the world, true discipleship demands that like St. Paul who stood for the faith and was not discouraged by the opposition of the Hellenists, we are charged to be fearless and speak truth to power no matter whose ox is gored.
- Show Love in Action: The message of the second reading that our love must not only be in words but action, demands that Christians in government or power must be proactive in advancing the kingdom of God in the secular space in a manner that Christ is visibly seen by all.
- Bear Fruits: The gospel reading challenges us to be grated on Christ so as bear fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Save Lives: Since the world is going through wars in Ukraine and Palestine, conflicts across Africa and escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Christians are charged to sue for peace and engage in sober reflection while taking positive action to save lives.
- Recruit Others for the Kingdom: Bearing Jesus’ remark that “a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself [except it] remain(s) part of the vine,” parents, teachers, political, religious and traditional leaders must make concerted efforts to mentor the young in a discipleship that will change civilisation and the face of the earth.
Summary Lines
- The first reading relates how Saul, a new convert to the Christian faith preached fearlessly in Jerusalem after Barnabas had introduced him to the Saints.
- The second reading charges that our love must not be only in words but in action as well.
- It assures that if we keep his commandments with a clear conscience, “we shall receive” whatever we ask God.
- The gospel invites us to discipleship by being grafted on Christ, the vine.
- Jesus insists that by so doing: “You should bear much, and then you will be my disciples.”
Conclusion
We need to rededicate ourselves to discipleship. All the baptised receive an anointing in which they are “incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king” (CCC, 1241) – Although ministerial priests also share in this threefold mission, they are called in a special way to offer sacrifices to God for their sins and for the sins of the community – no one takes this honour upon himself (Cf. Hebrews 5:4-8). Nonetheless, Jesus’ call, “Be My Disciples” is a common responsibility for the pew (Evangelii Nuntiandi, No. 70) and the pulpit. May God help us in this noble task, through Christ Our Lord. Amen!
