Sunday of the Fifth Week of Easter

May 4, 2021

Sunday of the Fifth Week of Easter

May 2, 2021

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, Media, PA

Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31

Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32

1 John 3:18-24

John 15:1-8

            I suspect that all of us would rather be included rather than being excluded.  Not being included or simply being rejected is one of our deepest human fears.  Not being asked to a party, not being chosen for a team, receiving a dismissal notice are all terrifying memories that may even turn into nightmares.

            Today’s readings all speak of this human experience.  In the reading from Acts, Saul, who has been knocked off his horse and was converted by conversing with the person of Jesus whom he persecuted.  When Saul came back to the group of apostles in Jerusalem, they initially refused to have anything to do with him, because of his past reputation.

            At last, one of the group stood up for Saul and spoke of his having been preaching freely elsewhere about Jesus.  Paul was allowed into the group and then sent out to begin his own mission.  Saul, now the apostle Paul, found out the hard way how difficult it is to live with the past.

            The second reading from 1 John is clear and simple; love is manifested in actions as well as words.  Simply put we must love one another and keep God’s commandments. 

            John’s Gospel narrative is also very clearly stated.  Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and if we are apart from Him, rather than a part of Him, we can do nothing.  Bearing fruit is the result of living His words and ways.  Being barren is the result of doing “our own thing,” rather than allowing His world to influence “our thing.”

            After the Resurrection of Jesus, His starting line-up was set.  They were the ones chosen to go out and win the world for Jesus.  That is the way they saw it until Jesus went out and got somebody from the opposing team, Saul, who by his own admission, was born out of time.  Jesus converted the one who would convert many to the ways of his Master.  Once Saul became a part of Jesus, he was a part of the whole team; the Body of Christ.

            Sisters and brothers, we are Christ’s starting line-up and as we line up for our reception of the Eucharist at Holy Mass we receive both His Body and being included into that same Body.  We also receive His mission, which He shared with Saul, of bearing witness to the embrace of Jesus by embracing in our hearts those whose pasts we know and those we do not know.  If Saul was good enough for Jesus then so are we. 

Question of the Day:  Today, will you reflect on your life to always remain in Jesus Christ who is the vine.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, deliver me from selfishness.  In all my ways, let Your will be my guiding star and an example to others.  Amen. 

Prosit

Sunday of the Fifth Week of Easter

May 2, 2021

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, Media, PA

 

Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31

Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32

1 John 3:18-24

John 15:1-8

 

            I suspect that all of us would rather be included rather than being excluded.  Not being included or simply being rejected is one of our deepest human fears.  Not being asked to a party, not being chosen for a team, receiving a dismissal notice are all terrifying memories that may even turn into nightmares.

            Today’s readings all speak of this human experience.  In the reading from Acts, Saul, who has been knocked off his horse and was converted by conversing with the person of Jesus whom he persecuted.  When Saul came back to the group of apostles in Jerusalem, they initially refused to have anything to do with him, because of his past reputation.

            At last, one of the group stood up for Saul and spoke of his having been preaching freely elsewhere about Jesus.  Paul was allowed into the group and then sent out to begin his own mission.  Saul, now the apostle Paul, found out the hard way how difficult it is to live with the past.

            The second reading from 1 John is clear and simple; love is manifested in actions as well as words.  Simply put we must love one another and keep God’s commandments. 

            John’s Gospel narrative is also very clearly stated.  Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and if we are apart from Him, rather than a part of Him, we can do nothing.  Bearing fruit is the result of living His words and ways.  Being barren is the result of doing “our own thing,” rather than allowing His world to influence “our thing.”

            After the Resurrection of Jesus, His starting line-up was set.  They were the ones chosen to go out and win the world for Jesus.  That is the way they saw it until Jesus went out and got somebody from the opposing team, Saul, who by his own admission, was born out of time.  Jesus converted the one who would convert many to the ways of his Master.  Once Saul became a part of Jesus, he was a part of the whole team; the Body of Christ.

            Sisters and brothers, we are Christ’s starting line-up and as we line up for our reception of the Eucharist at Holy Mass we receive both His Body and being included into that same Body.  We also receive His mission, which He shared with Saul, of bearing witness to the embrace of Jesus by embracing in our hearts those whose pasts we know and those we do not know.  If Saul was good enough for Jesus then so are we. 

Question of the Day:  Today, will you reflect on your life to always remain in Jesus Christ who is the vine.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, deliver me from selfishness.  In all my ways, let Your will be my guiding star and an example to others.  Amen. 

Prosit