--- title: Daily Readings Reflection for 5/13/09 description: Daily Readings Reflection for 5/13/09 --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2009/05/13/daily-readings-reflection-for-51309#) # Daily Readings Reflection for 5/13/09 May 13, 2009 4:00:25 AM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) Reflection on the Daily Readings for 5/13/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM [Today’s Readings](http://www.usccb.org/nab/) Acts 15:1-6. Psalm 122:1-2.3-4.4-5. John 15:1-8. Lectionary # 287. Scenes from the Acts of the Apostles often correlate with what happens in the Church today especially after Vatican II.  We see some similarity in today's reading where preparations are being made for the first assembly of the house church representatives and the leaders and apostles in Jerusalem.  The first issue is whether circumcision should be required for the Greeks and other ethnics entering the congregation of those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah.  There is need for more than just person belief now that the church is growing and touching all sorts of cultures.  Paul and Barnabas will be the "periti" or experts for the Gentiles while James and John and Peter representing the foundational church at Jerusalem.  Luke is ever mindful of the real and symbolic meaning of Jerusalem as he guides us not only here in Acts but also as we have seen, in the Gospel that he wrote. Tension and conflict are heightening on the relationship of the Gentiles to the churches and to the Mosaic law.  It takes time for the "Cornelius lesson" to be learned and assimilated (see Acts 10).  Only a universal gathering can help the solution and this is what Paul and Barnabas innaugurate. There is need for great sensitivity to the Jewish Christians on reasoning about this and Paul and Barnabas will be the leaders in what may be considered the first ecumenical council of the church. The Gentiles will be pleased with the dialogue that takes place and the church will continue to grow. It is a great example of how we should work within the church with all of the different cultures, traditions, and even theological differences. But is this the case?. Jesus calls us to deepen our discipleship through our being like the branches on the vine. He tells us< "I am the vine; you are the branches." We are reminded again by John that to be truly united to Jesus we need to believe and to love doing his commandments of love.  Both faith and love blend at this point in Jesus' discourses and final words.  If we remain in Jesus we will be able to do what he does and even more, he tells us.  Paul learned this without ever seeing Jesus in the way the other disciples had seen him. He even lives this out telling us "for me to live is Christ." (Philippians 1:21).  We should remember what Jesus has promised us, namely, the gift of the Holy Spirit as Guide and Advocate ("Paraclete"). The final lines of today's readings confirm our being the branches and Jesus the vine:"If you live in me and my words stay part of you, you may ask what you will--it will be done for you. My Father has been glorified in your bearing much fruit and becoming my disciples." 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