Yes our Church indeed has its fair share of problems, challenges even obstacles to overcome. One of the main ones today amongst many others is how to bring those who have left the Church back? And we are truly Blessed to have a Pope who has already inspired everyone in starting the synodal process. A means to hear from everyone and allow the Holy Spirit to open new doors as Christ once again makes all things new!
Question is how many are truly connected to the Vine, the source and summit of our lives who gives us life? That is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! How many meetings have we attended where the focus was on Him, He was the centre of our meetings not the agenda! Meetings where we started with Adoration (not a 5-10 minute one) prayer, praise and worship, breaking of the Word only after did we begin our meeting with the invocation of the Holy Spirit. For unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. PS 127:1
Lord Jesus I remain Yours, through You, with You and in You. You are my rock and my salvation and so I pledge to take up my cross and follow after You this and every day. Amen Alleluia!
First reading
Acts 15:1-6
They were to go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders
Some men came down from Judaea and taught the brothers, ‘Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.’ This led to disagreement, and after Paul and Barnabas had had a long argument with these men it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.
All the members of the church saw them off, and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they told how the pagans had been converted, and this news was received with the greatest satisfaction by the brothers. When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church and by the apostles and elders, and gave an account of all that God had done with them.
But certain members of the Pharisees’ party who had become believers objected, insisting that the pagans should be circumcised and instructed to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders met to look into the matter.
Gospel
John 15:1-8
I am the vine, you are the branches
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,
and they are burnt.
If you remain in me
and my words remain in you,
you may ask what you will
and you shall get it.
It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,
and then you will be my disciples.’
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