Readings and Themes for the Weekend of May 10, 2009, 5th Sunday of Easter

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of May 10, 2009, 5th Sunday of Easter

Reading I Acts 9:26-31

Saul spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 22 “I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.”

Reading II John 15: 1-8

We should believe in the name of Jesus Christ and love one another.

Gospel John 10:11-18

“I am the vine, you are the branches.”

THEME:
I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches

A marvelous image of the Church is set before us in today’s readings. Jesus refers to himself as the vine and calls his followers the branches. Saint Paul, who once persecuted the early Christians---in a sense, attempting to sever the branches—is converted to Christ and begins to proclaim boldly the name of the Lord. The Church is made up of a wide variety of people who together make up this glorious vine that bears the fruits of justice and peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, comfort and consolation.

Question for Children:

How do you keep yourself connected to Jesus in your daily life?

Question for Youth:

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, connected to Him as our life-source. When do you feel most connected to Jesus in your everyday life? How can you go there more often?

Question for Adults:

How does your own connection to Christ, the vine, affect your daily life? What image from this reading helps you see the importance of this connection to Christ?