ACTS 15:1-6

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved." Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question. They were sent on their journey by the Church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brethren. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law." The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

JOHN 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: "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. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

We belong together because we live on the same vine. We live inland from the same community of love. If we do not pass on our love, we dry up and cut ourselves of f from Christ, who is the true vine. We cannot consider ourselves to be true Christians if we live alone.

Jesus is the true vine because united with the Father, he lives for others. We are living branches; if united with Jesus we live for one another. When our relationship with Jesus blossoms into good relationships with the people around us then we are united with Jesus. Where we are concerned about the sick, the poor, the lonely, the hungry, the displaced people, there the vine thrives.

Jesus stresses emphatically that we have to remain in him. This union with the Lord can give us the impulse towards an effective love of neighbor. Only this can be the source of the fruitfulness of Christianity and lead us all into good relationships with one another.

View: Prayer Requests

Back to Top

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

Best Viewed with Internet Explorer on 800 x 600 Resolution