The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052219.cfm)
reminds me that I
should always remain in God.
A
vehicle cannot run on its own. No matter how advance or powerful the engine is,
it needs something to fuel it up – be it the normal petroleum, or more advanced
sources such as electricity, solar or water. It needs something to power it, to
enable it to function as it should. This is also how we should be as we live.
we need God.
Our
actions will be more powerful if we remain in God.
In
the bible, we see a lot of simple people do extraordinary things because they
were grounded on God. They allowed God to use them for his purpose. Simple
actions have great effects when God’s favor is working. If we remain in
Christ, our actions, no matter how simple they may seem, would be magnified to
glorify his name.
This
is what Jesus reminds us in the gospel. In the short passage of the gospel,
Jesus told us to remain in him. He reminds us why. He told us to be connected
in, rooted on him. He reminds us to remain in him, not just so we can bear
fruit, but more importantly, so that God may be glorified.
As
we live, we should remember to always remain in Christ. It may be easier and
worldly rewarding to go the other way, but we should remember what the more
important thing is. Let us remember that without Christ, we cannot really do
and achieve anything significant. Let us remember that this world and
everything in it is temporary, and we should focus on what is really essential.
What
fuels and inspires me to work and achieve things? Do I recognize God in my
accomplishments? Is my perspective right, or do I just focus on the worldly
things and forget the spiritual ones? When things get tough, do I remain in
Christ or do I turn elsewhere? How can I improve my relationship with God today?
May
we remember and do our best to remain in and be faithful to Christ, whatever
the situation may be.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
thank you for another chance to experience you. thank you for the reminder
today. Lord, I am sorry for the times I choose to stay away from you. sorry for
the times I go my way. Sorry for forgettig you. help me stay close to you all
the time. Help me remain in you. May I always be grounded on you. May I always
remain in you so you can fill me. May I remain in you so you can make me more
like you. Use me and magnify my life, my actions, that I may bring you great
glory. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
May 22 2019
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 287
Lectionary: 287
Reading
1 ACTS 15:1-6
Some
who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters
about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the Church,
and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria
telling of the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all the brethren.
When they arrived in Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church,
as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,
and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law."
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters
about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the Church,
and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria
telling of the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all the brethren.
When they arrived in Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church,
as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,
and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law."
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
Responsorial
Psalm PS
122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5
R.(see
1) Let us go rejoicing to the
house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia JN
15:4A, 5B
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN
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."
"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."
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