Gospel Reflections for May 2 2021: 5th Sunday of Easter

Gospel for May 2 2021 – John 15:1-8

Gospel Reflections for May 2 2021

Stay connected… 

In his earlier life, St. Paul had successfully persecuted Christians. You would be very afraid if he showed up at your house! Then he suddenly “converts.” Would you believe him? Few did, as the First Reading affirms. However, there was a wise and devout older man named Barnabas who listens to Paul …and assures everyone that Paul is truly connected to Jesus …and that is the connection that counts! 

Last week the Gospel was about sheep …who are always connected to a shepherd who knows where the best food and water is found. Jesus calls you to be a good shepherd as well, who connects people to God. This week the image is vines and branches. 

We have some very tall trees at St. Bruno, with long branches that provide welcome shade under a hot sun. But no matter how long a branch is, every single leaf receives nourishment from the sun above and the branch to which it is connected. All life depends on keeping the right connections.

Your own spiritual life depends on this unbroken connection with Our Lord. The Apostles, and even Paul, accomplished miracles in the first reading because they stayed connected to Him. No matter how far they travelled or who they met, they continually maintained that connection with Jesus. They knew where to go for spiritual nourishment and energy.

This is a very challenging time in our nation, in politics, and even in education. There are all kinds of voices calling you to follow this or that new program or policy. Some are divisive and call you to judge people not by their inner character and virtues but only by their outer appearance, race, or ethnic origin. For those connected to Christ, that can never be our way. We stay connected to the way of the Lord.

Again, this Gospel follows last week’s Gospel where Jesus, the courageous Good Shepherd, calls His followers to be courageous shepherds and to face any and all opposition with confidence. That confidence comes from staying connected to Him.

Connections for vines, branches, and Christians must be constant and continual. Never let a week go by without coming to Mass or watching mass on video and connecting with Him in the way Our Lord designed. You will find the strength you need there.

Staying connected to Our Lord was the goal for St. Paul and those earliest Christians …and remains our goal every day …and most especially now.

God Bless!

Fr. Dave