Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection May 21, 2025
Wednesday – 5th Week of Easter
21st May 2025 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Week 1
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 14:19-28
In those days: some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 (R. see 1)
R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord; whoever abides in me bears much fruit.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: John 15:1-8
At that time; Jesus said to his disciples,““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Wednesday – 5th Week of Easter
Main Point: In life, there are very many important things and concerns. But one should realise that all are not equally important. It needs the wisdom to discern among the priorities in life
1. In the early Church too, there were differences and disagreements. It was because of the differences in traditions, cultures, and perspectives. Mainly the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians were divided on the issue of circumcision.
2. But what is appreciable is that they did not go on hating each other, they did not become two rival camps in grievous conflict and fight. They did not harm each other and thus setting a scandal among the non-believers.
3. Instead, they tried to resolve it amicably. They enter into an ambience of listening and dialogue. They set out to sit in discussion and discernment. They submit themselves to the enlightenment and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
4. They are not led by mere impulses or majority syndrome. They are not carried away by prejudices. They totally give room for God’s grace, God’s will, and God’s ways of salvation.
5. They remain true to the teaching of their master. They remember that the Lord is the vine and we are the branches as Jesus taught. They are convinced that they live and bear fruit only as long as they are united with him. Accordingly, they abide in him, derive their life sap from him, flourish and become fruitful.
6. It is by their spiritual and fraternal communion they prove to be true disciples, bear much fruit and the Father is glorified. Today if many fail to be authentic disciples, to be fruit-bearing, and fail to glorify the Father, it is because they are not spiritually and fraternally in communion.
My Practice: Jesus says, you are made clean by my word. You will be pruned in order to bear much fruit. How much are we being cleansed by the word of the Lord? How willingly and positively do we accept the unfavourable experiences as pruning and productive experiences?
