Readings for Wednesday 5th Week of Easter

First Reading
Acts 15:1-6

They decided to go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

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.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

R. :

R. (see 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

I rejoiced because they said to me,
   “We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
   within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Jerusalem, built as a city
   with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
   the tribes of the LORD.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

According to the decree for Israel,
   to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
   seats for the house of David.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.


Gospel Acclamation
Jn 15:4a, 5b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Jn 15:1-8

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

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.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.


Homilies / Gospel Reflections




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