The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs
St. Pancras, martyr

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 15:1-4
Psalm 122:1-5
John 15:1-8

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“He who lives in me and I in him will produce abundantly.” (John 15:5)

Today’s readings touch opposite ends of the religious spectrum. In the Acts of the Apostles, we see the danger of clinging to traditions that may become an impediment to the development of a deeper, universal faith. Circumcision was required of Jewish males, setting their race apart from others, an outward sign of being consecrated to God and in the service of making Him known to the world.

With the coming of Christ this sign was rendered unnecessary; for the outward, fleshly circumcision was now replaced by the inward, spiritual circumcision of believers’ hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit in them. We receive a constant inflow of Christ’s Spirit, the very life of God, if we abide in Him in the same way as a branch abides in a vine to remain alive. This is the essence of our Gospel reading; that the branches remaining firmly attached to Christ, the true Vine, will bring forth a plentiful harvest of fruit, God’s loving goodness, generosity and truth.

In keeping with last Wednesday’s theme, Christ asserts that barren branches will be cut off and burned. Those who truly abide in Christ are required to produce and provide spiritual food for the life of the world.

God of all good,
may the fruit we bear as a result of Your life within us
serve to stimulate the world’s hunger for You.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:23 AM