💖 HOMILY - MAY 21 💖

First Reading - Acts 15:1-6

Gospel - John 15:1-8

The Christian life is a dynamic relationship with Christ—a life that must remain rooted in Him to bear fruit. Today’s readings remind us of two essential truths: our faith must remain connected to Christ, and our understanding of the faith must grow through discernment in communion with the Church.

In the first reading, we encounter a moment of tension in the early Church. Some believers from Judea insist that Gentile converts must follow Jewish customs to be saved. This issue causes confusion and division, leading Paul and Barnabas to go to Jerusalem for guidance. What we see here is the early Church discerning God’s will not in isolation, but in communion—with dialogue, prayer, and unity among the apostles and elders. It reminds us that remaining faithful to Christ also means remaining in communion with His Body, the Church, which helps us interpret and live the Gospel in changing circumstances.

In the Gospel, Jesus presents the image of the vine and the branches. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower… Abide in me as I abide in you.” The image is clear: without Jesus, we can do nothing. Just as a branch draws life from the vine, our spiritual life depends on a living connection with Christ. Only by remaining in Him—through prayer, the sacraments, love, and obedience—can we bear fruit that lasts. Fruitfulness in Christian life is not about external success but about inner transformation and visible love.

Dear friends, both readings today point us to the heart of discipleship: staying connected. In a world filled with competing ideas and quick solutions, we are reminded that faith is not about holding to our opinions, but about seeking God’s will in communion with others. It is about staying rooted in Jesus, even when pruning comes—when we face challenges, corrections, or suffering.

Let us examine: Am I truly remaining in Christ through a life of grace, prayer, and love? Am I open to the guidance of the Church in my understanding and living of faith? Am I bearing fruits that show my connection to the True Vine?

Let us pray for the grace to remain always in Christ and to allow the Father to prune and shape us so we may bear fruit for His glory.

May our lives be a living testimony of our communion with Christ, the True Vine.