God is present and active within the world and within human history.

 It highlights a relationship based on enduring, steadfast love.

 He continues to remain. He is the kind of God who will not separate Himself from us.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Acts 15:1-6

Some persons,

Who had come from Judea to Antioch, were teaching the brothers in this way,

"Unless you are circumcised, according to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved."

 

Because of this, there was trouble; and Paul and Barnabas had fierce arguments with them.

For Paul told the people to remain as they were, when they became believers.

Finally, those who had come from Jerusalem suggested that Paul and Barnabas

and some others go up to Jerusalem, to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders.

They were sent on their way by the Church. As they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they reported

how the non-Jews had turned to God; and there was great joy among all the brothers and sisters.

 

On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, the apostles and the elders,

to whom they told all that God had done through them. Some believers, however,

who belonged to the party of the Pharisees, stood up and said that non-Jewish men must be

circumcised and instructed to keep the law of Moses.

So the apostles and elders met together to consider this matter.

 

Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower.

If any of my branches doesn't bear fruit, he breaks it off;

and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.

You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you. Live in me as I live in you.

The branch cannot bear fruit by itself,but has to remain part of the vine;

so neither can you, if you don't remain in me. 

 

I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit;

but apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away,

as they do with branches, and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want,

and it will be given to you. My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

To stay connected.

"Remain in me as I remain in you." To remain is to stay or to stay connected.

For us human beings, it isn't easy to remain and stay focused, whether on our studies,

relationships, religious vows, or other commitments. But let us not forget this:

even though we find it hard to remain in God, God remains in us.

That connection is never severed. Indeed, we may not be perfectly faithful;

 

we are constantly distracted and often succumb to temptations.

But God remains in us. That is why the word "remain" is used repeatedly in today's Gospel to convey His message

that despite everything, He continues to remain. He is the kind of God who will not separate Himself from us.

God remains. Even in our unfaithfulness, He continues to be faithful.