1st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 9,26-31.
When he arrived in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought him to the apostles, and he reported to them how on the way he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.
He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him.
And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him on his way to Tarsus.
The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers.
Psalms 22(21),26-27.28.30.31-32.
I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him.
The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever!”
All the ends of the earth will worship and turn to the LORD; All the families of nations will bow low before you.
All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage.
And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you.
The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.
2nd Reading: First Letter of John 3,18-24.
Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.
(Now) this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if (our) hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God
and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15,1-8.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Sermon thoughts:
Jesus speaks today „organic“. About the Vine and its branches is his talk.
I think Jesus had not talk too much about it, as the people were used with that situation.
I think many of you too have some knowledge of the same.
So I start with a small incident:
There was a farmer, who was very generous. He helped each and every one who asked him for a help. Day after day there came so many, but he and his family were only happy to help them. They listened to their problems and gave advices and helps.
Years gone; the family lived in peace and happiness.
One day he had a thought: was my dealings right? Was I so generous? Even if I could judge some people, I never did that. Was it right? Why?…” All such kind of thoughts made him restless and he found no answer. In the night he had a vision.
He saw a beautiful vine with healthy Grapes. There came so many and enjoyed it and set their journey with gratitude and happiness.
the farmer heard “ you are a vine for many. Give people joy and happiness with this gift.”
A small experience, but it has meaning.
Just as vine and ist branches – we are called to transfer life and joy. There are so many trees and plants, but we are selective,
because we know some are unhealthy and some are healthy; some are good and some bad.
Jesus reminds his followers, that we should be fruitful, healthy for others. For that we have to be with Jesus.
To be with some one gives us more security.
If we are alone in a dark street, we feel unsafe. If we have a friend with us, we feel better.
The church experienced the same, in her first time. But later they felt safe with Jesus.
The word Church comes from Greek word „Kyriakä „ and it means Lord’s House, or to be with the risen Lord“.
There are so many people who think that the Technology save their lives. Safer houses, safer vehicles, safer medicines…
It is not bad. But what is our position to God?
Are creatures greater than the creator?
Who gives us ultimate safety?
Let us enjoy the safety side of the church and God.
Let us be human beings with divine – life and joy.
That will make our participation in the sacraments fruitful.
When he arrived in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought him to the apostles, and he reported to them how on the way he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.
He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him.
And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him on his way to Tarsus.
The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers.
Psalms 22(21),26-27.28.30.31-32.
I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him.
The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever!”
All the ends of the earth will worship and turn to the LORD; All the families of nations will bow low before you.
All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage.
And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you.
The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.
2nd Reading: First Letter of John 3,18-24.
Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.
(Now) this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if (our) hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God
and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15,1-8.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Sermon thoughts:
Jesus speaks today „organic“. About the Vine and its branches is his talk.
I think Jesus had not talk too much about it, as the people were used with that situation.
I think many of you too have some knowledge of the same.
So I start with a small incident:
There was a farmer, who was very generous. He helped each and every one who asked him for a help. Day after day there came so many, but he and his family were only happy to help them. They listened to their problems and gave advices and helps.
Years gone; the family lived in peace and happiness.
One day he had a thought: was my dealings right? Was I so generous? Even if I could judge some people, I never did that. Was it right? Why?…” All such kind of thoughts made him restless and he found no answer. In the night he had a vision.
He saw a beautiful vine with healthy Grapes. There came so many and enjoyed it and set their journey with gratitude and happiness.
the farmer heard “ you are a vine for many. Give people joy and happiness with this gift.”
A small experience, but it has meaning.
Just as vine and ist branches – we are called to transfer life and joy. There are so many trees and plants, but we are selective,
because we know some are unhealthy and some are healthy; some are good and some bad.
Jesus reminds his followers, that we should be fruitful, healthy for others. For that we have to be with Jesus.
To be with some one gives us more security.
If we are alone in a dark street, we feel unsafe. If we have a friend with us, we feel better.
The church experienced the same, in her first time. But later they felt safe with Jesus.
The word Church comes from Greek word „Kyriakä „ and it means Lord’s House, or to be with the risen Lord“.
There are so many people who think that the Technology save their lives. Safer houses, safer vehicles, safer medicines…
It is not bad. But what is our position to God?
Are creatures greater than the creator?
Who gives us ultimate safety?
Let us enjoy the safety side of the church and God.
Let us be human beings with divine – life and joy.
That will make our participation in the sacraments fruitful.
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