Study: What do the readings say?

Pray: What do the readings say to me?

Serve: What do the readings do or make me say…today?

Let’s take a look at some of the major themes that appear in the Scripture readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter.

1st Reading – Acts 9:26-31

• Barnabas brings Saul (St. Paul) before the Apostles, who learn how God has worked through him.
• The Holy Spirit builds up the early Church.

Psalm 22:26-27,28,30,31-32

• All people shall bow down before the Lord.
• Note: this Psalm is extraordinary…verses 1-21 focus on the suffering of the righteous servant of God (Jesus), while verses 22-31 are all about God’s triumph. Give yourself a treat and read it straight through, and think about how it applies to the death and resurrection of Christ.

2nd Reading – 1 John 3:18-24

• The Lord commands us to love one another, especially through our actions.
• By following the Lord’s commands, we remain in him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gospel – John 15:1-8

• Christ is the vine, we are the branches; the Father tends and prunes the branches so that we bear fruit.
• By staying connected to Christ – the vine – we remain in him and he remains in us.
• If we are apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Easter

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

Note: This post was first published on April 26, 2021.