Readings: Acts 9.26-31
1John 3.18-24
John 15.1-8
On the fifth Sunday of Easter the church reminds us that Christ is the vine, and we are his branches. As branches crafted on the true vine, we are expected to bear positive and good fruits in Christ.
In the first reading we see the consequences of Paul’s true conversion and his belief in Jesus Christ was a great harvest of souls which continues till today. He bore good fruits because he was a “deeply crafted and rooted branch” in Christ, the true vine.
In the second reading, John reminds us that, “our love is not to be just in word or mere talk, but something real and active. Only through this we can be certain that we are the children of truth...” John reminds us of that saying that “Action speaks louder than words.”
The word of God transforms us because it is real and active. So, we cannot love God or keep his commandments without concrete works of charity and mercy. Also, we cannot remain in Christ without bearing fruits asa mark of our union with him.
Today’s Gospel is a call to strengthen our relationship with Christ in order to to continue to live in Him. The type of relationship that should exist between us and Christ is illustrated using what is natural to us. That is, the relationship between a vine and its branches. No branch can have life or bear fruit if it’s own, unless it is firmly attached to a tree. Likewise, in our spiritual life and journey as Christians, we cannot do without being firmly attached to Christ the vine, in whose name we are baptized. We are called to remain in Christ for a purpose and this purpose is, to bear durable fruits in him.
So instead of a passive life, to be in Christ means to live an active and positive life characterized by charity, peace, holiness. It is possible to bear good fruits in Christ through a good and virtuous life.
Let us reflect on our spiritual progress. How is my relationship with Christ, the true vine? Am I still living in him? Have I born any good fruit in Christ? Bearing fruit in Christ means growing spiritually and affecting others positively. Let us strive to live in truth and in deed.
First Holy Communion is Postponed at this time.
THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH PRAYER
To you, O blessed Joseph (Ad te, beate Ioseph)
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our afflictions, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen
We want to thank all the parishioners of ST. DOMINIC for their ongoing support during this period of great uncertainty. It has been wonderful to see so many of you at Mass since we re-opened in June. We are especially grateful to the volunteers who have helped ensure our church is a safe place to gather – they have done incredible work!
POPE FRANCIS’S PRAYER TO MARY :
O Mary, you shine continuously in our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the sick. At the foot of the cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to confirm ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us , through the cross, to the joy of the Ressurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas-we who are put to the test-and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and Blessed Virgin
