Tag Archives: Remain in Christ

April 22, 2024

Study, Pray, Serve: 5th Sunday of Easter

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com

Here are some of the themes that we discover in the Mass readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter.

1st Reading – Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31

  • Saul arrives in Jerusalem and seeks to join the disciples, but they are afraid of meeting with him.
  • Barnabas takes charge of the situation, and explains how Saul has had a conversion of heart.
  • When Saul speaks boldly about Jesus, his life is threatened, and the disciples send him off to Caesarea to make his way to Tarsus.

Psalm – 22:26-28,30-32

  • “I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.”
  • From the ends of the earth, all the families of nations proclaim God’s justice and praise.

2nd Reading – 1st Letter of John

  • We have confidence in God as we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
  • Believing in the name of Jesus Christ, we love one another as he commanded us.

Gospel – John 15:1-8

  • Jesus teaches his disciples that he is the vine, we are the branches, and his Father is the vine grower.
  • We fulfill the Father’s will when we bear fruit by remaining in Jesus and become his disciples.

Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of Easter (Year B, #53)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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April 26, 2021

Study, Pray, Serve: 5th Sunday of Easter

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by David on Pexels.com

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.

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