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Acts 15: 22-31

The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
“The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’“

And so they were sent on their journey.
Upon their arrival in Antioch
they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.

The Word of the Lord.

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Families can debate about the most ordinary things.

Growing up, my brother and I argued over whose turn it was to sit in the front seat of the car; what we wanted for dinner; whether or not I could wear his clothes; or whether or not his friends could also be mine.

Parents can debate over how to raise their children, where to go on vacation, how much money to spend on a home, how to best communicate, and so on.

What debates arise in your family?

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Debate also happens within the Church. Jesus didn’t leave us a “how to” manual for every problem or an answer to every question. Instead, he gives us his Holy Spirit, who leads us to the Truth.

The Acts of the Apostles describes how the early Church discerned answers to significant questions together, including whether or not Gentiles could be saved. Did they have to follow Jewish practices? And so on.

Our first reading today illustrates one of those early Church meetings, where the disciples finally come to agreement. Then they send Paul, Barnabas, and others out to spread the Good News.

The Apostles discerned the answers to their questions in three ways: they prayed together, they fasted, and they broke bread, meaning they celebrating Eucharist.

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What if we applied the same practices to our own friendships and families? 

When conflict arises, pray together – ask for wisdom and humility, fast, then break bread together at Mass. If the first Christians found God working in these ways, certainly the Lord will still do so today.

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Image credits: (1) Tech Nation Magazine (2) JW.org (3) Kolmac Center

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Gospel: John 15: 9-11

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love 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 his love.

“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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This Gospel passage is a tiny sliver of the final words that Jesus speaks during his final night on earth. He tells his disciples many things about where he’s from and where he’s going.

Then he concludes by saying, “I no longer call you slaves, but friends” (John 15:15).

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At the time of Christ, there was a wide-ranging social hierarchy. 

There were slaves, commoners, soldiers, generals, trusted advisors, and at the very top a select group of people known as, “friends of the emperor.”

These “friends” had unlimited access to the king. They could even disturb him in his bedchamber!

They knew everything about him; and, most importantly, they access to his heart.

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“I no longer call you slaves, but friends,” Jesus says. Meaning in Christ we have access to the very heart of God.

There we find all of the grace, mercy, and strength we need for our Christian journeys.

What Jesus asks us in return is to love one another the way that he’s loved us. “By wthis they will know you are my disciples,” he says, “if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

How might we be that kind of friend for another person, offering love, mercy, and strength?

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Image credits: (1) Dreamstime.com (2) Time Literary Supplement, How to be Roman Emperor (Mary Beard) (3) Life of a Minister Mom, WordPress

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Gospel: John 15: 1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Over the last year, I’ve developed an interest in gardening. It’s a nice way to relax after a day’s work.

One basic lesson I’ve learned is that there are two types of branches – those that bear fruit and those that don’t.

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We’ve all seen withering branches. They’re dark, limp, and slow to die. But even as they wither, they sap energy from the vine.

It’s a fascinating truth: withering branches take energy to die.

It’s why gardeners must prune them; they take away nutrients that could otherwise be used by healthy branches.

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In the Gospel, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit.”

Meaning, God will prune those withering branches in our heart, which sap our energy and give nothing back. Consider poor habits, relationships, or grudges.

They steal our time and energy, without making us happier.

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What’s the withering branch in my heart? Who or what takes my energy without bearing fruit?

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Every gardener knows that pruning makes plants healthier.

Similarly, it may cause some suffering, but allowing the Lord to remove withering branches from our hearts makes us happier, healthier people.

Come, Holy Spirit.

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Image credits: (1) Gardening Know How (2) Insight of the King (3) Young-Catholics.com