5th Sunday of Easter

First Reading

Acts 9:26-31

[26] And when he was come into Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples; and they all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and told them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him; and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the name of Jesus. [28] And he was with them coming in and going out in Jerusalem, and dealing confidently in the name of the Lord. [29] He spoke also to the Gentiles, and disputed with the Greeks; but they sought to kill him. [30] Which when the brethren had known, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.

[31] Now the church had peace throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria; and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost.

Second Reading

1 John 3:18-24

[18] My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth. [19] In this we know that we are of the truth: and in his sight shall persuade our hearts. [20] For if our heart reprehend us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

[21] Dearly beloved, if our heart do not reprehend us, we have confidence towards God: [22] And whatsoever we shall ask, we shall receive of him: because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight. [23] And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ: and love one another, as he hath given commandment unto us. [24] And he that keepeth his commandments, abideth in him, and he in him. And in this we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Gospel

John 15:1-8

A continuation of Christ’s discourse to his disciples.

[1] I am the true vine; and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me, that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine: you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

[6] If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. [8] In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples.