Breaking Open the Word

By James Cavanagh

May 10: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Scripture readings:
• Acts 9:26-31
• Psalm 22:26-32
• 1 John 3:18-24
• John 15:1-8

Overview: “No man is an island entire of itself,” wrote John Donne (d. 1631). This week’s readings highlight the profound interconnectedness between us and Christ in his holy Catholic Church. We are, as the word “Catholic” signifies, part of the whole (“Catechism,” 830). In the first reading Paul (still called “Saul”) knew the importance of being connected to the Church. He could’ve gone off on his own, as many followers of Christ have done, but as Luke tells us he “tried to join the disciples” after his conversion. The Apostles were reluctant to accept him, however, because he had been a zealous persecutor of the Church and they were understandably fearful. But Barnabas interceded on his behalf, enabling Paul to join the company of the Apostles. The interconnectedness between us and Christ and each other is also shown in the second reading as John exhorts us to “love one another” as Christ commanded, for “Those who keep his commandments,” he says, “remain in him, and he in them.”  Finally, this week’s Gospel highlights our connection with Christ, who compares our relationship to him as branches to a vine. The vine can live without a few branches, but the branches cannot live without the vine. It is vital that we stay connected to Christ and “remain in him” for without him we can do nothing.

Key verse: “He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).

“Catechism of the Catholic Church”:   “Jesus says: ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.’ The fruit referred to in this saying is the holiness of a life made fruitful by union with Christ. When we believe in Jesus Christ, partake of his mysteries, and keep his commandments, the Savior himself comes to love, in us, his Father and his brethren, our Father and our brethren. His person becomes, through the Spirit, the living and interior rule of our activity” (No. 2074).

Pope Benedict XVI:  “We cannot have Jesus without the reality he created and in which he communicates himself. Between the Son of God-made-flesh and his Church there is a profound, unbreakable, and mysterious continuity by which Christ is present today in his people” (“Benedictus, Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI”).

Application: It is vital that we stay connected to Christ, for it is only through him that we receive the life-giving Spirit who enables us to “bear much fruit” and grow in holiness and love.  But how, exactly, do we “remain” in Christ?  We remain in him by staying connected to his body, the Church through right faith, participation in the sacraments, keeping the commandments (second reading) and constant prayer.