5^th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Christ: the best connection for bearing good fruits

Reading: Acts 9:26-31; 1Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8

The Church has two important questions for us this Sunday. The first is: “do you want your life to bear fruits of love, peace, forgiveness, charity, kindness, holiness and mercy?” Then, the second is: “do you want your family to be the abode of love, peace, and harmony?” If the answer is yes, then, the Church would like to show you the origin of these wonderful fruits that could turn homes and lives into a paradise.

In the readings of today, the Church showed us that the origin or the source of these fruits is Jesus, and that these fruits can only be nurtured when we abide in Him, that is, when we live our lives in communion with Him.

One of the problems of our world is that many people who want their lives or families to reflect the fruits of love, peace, harmony, charity, kindness, holiness and mercy seek these fruits from the wrong places/sources; they search for them from sources devoid of the values of Jesus, sources that do not draw their strength and inspiration from Jesus, sources that have cut themselves off from Jesus. These sources include social media influencers, pop stars, and other celebrities. This could explain why many relationships, families and communities are constantly soaked in disagreement, quarrels, hatred, wicked acts, envy, intolerance, immorality, greed, revenge and anger.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches, and that just as the branch of the vine cannot bear fruits by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can we bear fruit unless we abide in Him. He said if we cut off from him, we can do nothing, we can bear no fruit.

Therefore, dear friends, only the communities and families that are connected to Jesus and his teachings can bear fruits of love, peace, and unity. It is only the life that is connected to Jesus that can reflect the fruits of love, kindness, mercy, humility, goodness and self-control. When families and communities are disconnected from Christ, their relationships will be tainted by quarrels, hatred, wickedness, revenge, lack of trust, crisis, injustice and oppression, and intolerance. When individual lives are disconnected/detached from Christ and his teachings, envy, anger, hatred, lust, arrogance, thirst for evil, and frustration will set in. 

Many people in our world have lost this connection to Jesus, because they think they can move on without Jesus in their lives, and that is why there is high rate of frustration, intolerance, homicide, suicide, revenge and war in our world. Many families have lost this connection to Christ, and that is why many families no longer withstand crisis. Many young boys and girls have lost this connection to Christ, they have rather firmly connected themselves to hip hop stars, social media influencers, and other celebrities both online and offline, learning how to live their lives from them. This explains why many young people suffer instability in relationships; their loss of connection from the source of the values that sustain relationships, which is Christ, is the root of their woes. Christ is the source of the values of tolerance, sacrificial love, understanding and forgiveness which help relationships to thrive.  

In today’s second reading, John explains that it is only when we remain united with Christ by putting our Faith in him and drawing our spiritual strength from him that we will be able to obey God’s commandments, especially the commandment of love, loving one another as Jesus commanded us.

The first reading told us what became of the life of Saul after he connected himself to Christ. Before he met Jesus, the life of Saul was that of killing and persecuting of Christians. But when he met Jesus, and became part of the branches of Jesus, his life began to bear the fruits of love and testimony for the risen Christ.

Believe me, dearest friends, it is very difficult to live a life that is full of joy, happiness, peace, love, patience, kindness, humility, goodness, hope and self-control without the presence of Christ and the guidance of his teachings, that is to say, without this connection to Christ. It is absolutely difficult to conquer envy, anger, hatred, lust, arrogance, thirst for evil, pretence and frustration, unnecessary disagreement and quarrels without the grace of Christ and the guidance or inspiration of his teachings.

Let us abide in Christ so that our lives will continue to bear good fruits.

Fr Isaac Chima

 

5^th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Homily by Fr Justin Adiele

THEME: “ABIDE IN ME”

INTRODUCTION:

Last Sunday we talked about the role and character of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and our ability to also be like him. By his name, by his love and by his sacrifice, we too can afford to lead others in the right path that leads to life and not to destruction. Today, we explore Jesus as the True Vine and we the branches; and we must of necessity abide in Him to be fruitful and productive both physically and spiritually.

THE FIRST READING (ACTS. 9: 26 – 31)

Cut off or away from Christ, you may be doing harm, thinking that you are doing good. St. Paul before his conversion thought he was rendering service to God and country by killing and arresting believers in Christ; bearing the fruit of destruction. But when he became a Christian, he started building up the body of Jesus Christ through his missionary journeys; bearing the fruit of multiplication and peace. Paul became an example those who abide in Christ Jesus; who found the grace of repentance and turn around; and who never lacked the zeal, the courage, the grace, wisdom and strength to minister/testify for Christ; bearing the fruits of increase and spread of the faith among the gentile world.

THE SECOND READING (1 JN. 3: 18 – 24)

In the second reading, St. John tells us quite clearly the perfect and simple way to abide in Jesus Christ; and that is, “to believe in him, to keep his commandments and to love one another.” Only when we are ruled by faith, by God’s just commandments, and driven by love that we can actually bear the fruits of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; and bear fruits of charity, piety, justice and holiness.

THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 15: 1 – 8)

In the gospel reading, Jesus was very specific and particular about abiding in him in order to bear more fruits; and apart from him we can do nothing. This passage teaches us never to cut or block our link/channel with Jesus every day of our lives. What then is your link/channel/connection with Jesus? Our sure link/connection with Jesus remains prayer and sacraments and his holy words which guide us in the path of life eternal.

CONCLUSION

Jesus has invited us to abide in Him. He has a large heart and space to accommodate all his disciples. Abide in his Word; abide in his love; abide in his Commandments; abide in his Eucharist; abide in his Church and you would have the enabling grace to bear the fruits of faith and good works which expresses itself in the increase/multiplication of believers around you. May Jesus also abide in us as he promised through the Eucharist and through the Holy Spirit, and continue to inspire us to bear the fruits of our salvation and the salvation of the whole world!

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

 

5^th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

THEME: THE SECRET OF BEARING MUCH FRUIT

(John 15:1-8)

Jesus in the Gospel of today discloses to us our relationship with Him. He   reveals to us the bond we should have with Him. He talks of the divine interconnectedness that should exist between Him and men. He invites us to inseparable rapport with Him. He calls us to get intertwined with Him. This Holy Union is indeed not a mere act but a productive one that results in the manifestation of the will of God in us. Through it, we enter into God, and He, in return, enters into us. Let us know the will of God for us.

 

REMAIN WITH CHRIST THE TRUE VINE

Jesus calls Himself our true vine.  He wants to be our source of joy. He wants us to derive our lives from Him. He wants us to be true branches, not weeds, not camouflage leaves. He wants us to produce what He gives us.

He insists we should remain in Him, for if not, we will do nothing. We will not achieve much. Our country is unable to achieve much since independence because we have not held fast to godly principles. We have not maintained fairness, justice, truth, success by merit, encouragement of hard work, etc. We say much and do less, that is why we are not producing much. We have a lot of letters of the law that are positive, but none is put into practice. Once the source of goodness is not tenaciously held unto, a lot will fall apart. We find it difficult to remain. That's a big problem.

Politician do not remain with their true words that endeared them to the people. They say one thing today and do another tomorrow. They promise to serve for a tenure and stay for tenures. 

Couples do not remain in their marriage. They say, 'I do' today, and tomorrow, they are not doing what they vowed. This affects their fruitfulness.

Students do not remain studious. They disconnect from seriousness with their studies and start pursuing ephemerals. 

Ministers at different levels abandon the True Vine and start plugging themselves here and there for power, wealth, and everything that has no connection with their calling. Thus, they leave the fruits they are called to bear to bear something else. For you to bear fruits, you must blend with Christ. He wants the best for you. Therefore, He decorates you.

 

BE DRESSED BY GOD

Jesus connects with His Father, and for that, He succeeded. The fruit of salvation came to us through Him because He was able to remain One with His Father even when all seemed to be dry and fruitless. To be fruitful, Jesus invites us to subject ourselves to the pruning work of God. He wants us to be open to dressing. He addressed the Father as the Vinedresser. 

 

The vinedresser does two jobs. He eliminates the branches that have refused to produce. He equally helps those making efforts to do better.  In your little effort to bear fruit, accept the grace of God together with discipline He gives you. Welcome the chiselling, the beating into shape, the corrections, and the directions.

 

IT SHALL BE WELL WITH YOU

You will never remain the same after abiding in Christ, and Christ abides in you. You will certainly bear good fruits. The Lord says that whatever you ask shall be granted. What are the withered or withering areas of your life? Why are they withering? You may have disconnected from the Divine, the true vine.  Connect back in prayers, in good works, in fidelity, in holiness, and in sincerity. Do all in the name of Christ. Remain with God in your thoughts, words, and deeds. Seek the will of God and the face of God in all your endeavours, and you will certainly see a difference in your life.

 

PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS FOR ABUNDANT FRUITS

May you be fruitful in your spiritual life.

May you be fruitful in your marital life. May you be fruitful in your business. May you be fruitful in your academics. May you be fruitful in governance. May you be fruitful in administration. May you be fruitful in your pastoral life. May you bear abundant fruit in your vocation. May you bear sweet fruits to people around you. May you taste sweet to God and to men. May nothing separate you from the love of God. May you not be barren. May you be a fertile vine with pleasant aroma and be beautiful to behold. May every evil plan to disconnect you from the Divine never see the light of the day through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (Easter, Week 5)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh