Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Wednesday Fifth Week of Easter
May 21, 2014
Wednesday Fifth Week of Easter
[St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Companions, Martyrs]
Acts 15:1-6 / Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 / Jn 15: 1-8
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.
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 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.
Reflection:
The Lord created us in His own image. It is a good thing we are branches of a good vine. By virtue of the good vine, our branches can produce good fruit. For this, Christ instituted the Church as a mother to provide shelter, nourishment and guidance for all of us. We should be grateful and happy that we have a universal, apostolic and Catholic Church. Despite its weakness at times, the vine who is God, provides us with the necessary strength to withstand all kinds of trials and persecutions at all times. Our Church has withstood for many centuries and continues to exist because of the heavenly nature of our Godhead. For all who don't remain with Christ will wither and will be collected and thrown into the fire. When we cut ourselves from the vine, having our own beliefs, using our own human philosophy, logic and reasoning, there is the danger that we will wither, no matter how brilliant our human minds are. That is why God gave us His Church. Whatever is bound here is bound in Heaven. God's folly is greater than any human wisdom. Therefore let us remain steadfast to the teachings of our Church, staying " connected" to the vine.
Prayer Requests:
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary
... for families who are in need of healing
... for world peace and reconciliation
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
-- Wednesday Fifth Week of Easter
[St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Companions, Martyrs]
Acts 15:1-6 / Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 / Jn 15: 1-8
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.
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 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.
Reflection:
The Lord created us in His own image. It is a good thing we are branches of a good vine. By virtue of the good vine, our branches can produce good fruit. For this, Christ instituted the Church as a mother to provide shelter, nourishment and guidance for all of us. We should be grateful and happy that we have a universal, apostolic and Catholic Church. Despite its weakness at times, the vine who is God, provides us with the necessary strength to withstand all kinds of trials and persecutions at all times. Our Church has withstood for many centuries and continues to exist because of the heavenly nature of our Godhead. For all who don't remain with Christ will wither and will be collected and thrown into the fire. When we cut ourselves from the vine, having our own beliefs, using our own human philosophy, logic and reasoning, there is the danger that we will wither, no matter how brilliant our human minds are. That is why God gave us His Church. Whatever is bound here is bound in Heaven. God's folly is greater than any human wisdom. Therefore let us remain steadfast to the teachings of our Church, staying " connected" to the vine.
Prayer Requests:
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary
... for families who are in need of healing
... for world peace and reconciliation
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
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