Date: May 13, 2020 ()

Bible Text: ACTS 15:1-6; JN 15:1-8 |

Series:

The first reading today recalls how our Christian ancestors settle the dilemma of the long-time tradition among the Jewish believers on circumcision which went in conflict with the belief of Gentile Converts. We are informed that “prudence and sensitivity” was the key to dealing with the issue which rendered either circumcision or non-circumcision a matter of cultural practice that should not affect their relationship with each other and the greater reality of our faith in the Lord. It’s not anymore the exclusive and particular religious practices of either cultures that matter now but the teachings of Jesus on the virtues of the kingdom such as love, peace, faith, hope, justice, respect etc.

Jesus in our gospel today said: “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.”

The Lord now is our source of everything that we are. He is the true vine because we are certain that from Him is the true source of true lifegiving nourishment. We could not ask for more. That’s why nothing else matters now but Jesus, not their Jewishness, not their pagan beliefs, neither race nor color.

What is unique of this source too is: it cleanses off anything that’s not necessary for our growth. The true vine eliminates what hinders us from bearing fruit.

In my home country, a song was composed on the occasion of the celebration of the great Jubilee. Part of the song says, “No more walls, no more chains, no more selfishness and closed doors, for we are in the fulness of God’s time. It’s the time of the great Jubilee.” Indeed the great Jubilee is the time of the reign of the True vine; and with Him as our source, He wants us to do away with what is not necessary for the growth and fruitfulness of the Christian community. Jesus wants us to be more a family than isolated individuals. And we need this “Christian spirit” in fighting against the recent pandemic. Let us pray for everybody’s cooperation and unity in the whole world’s fight against Covid-19. We pray together, act in harmony with one another, show compassion and sensitivity to others in need. We heal as one!