Rooted in Faith, Remain in God and Rejoice His Blessings
April 28, Fifth Sunday of Easter
Daily Readings: Acts 9:26-31; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8
The first reading for today indicates that the Church is growing slowly in various regions, including Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. Paul and Barnabas, guided by the Holy Spirit, effectively spread the Good News to different nations.
The second reading invites us to love, not only in words or speech but also in deeds and truth. People who believe in Jesus should follow and keep God's commandments.
Today's Gospel serves as a reminder that we cannot accomplish anything without the help of God. The verse, "I am the vine; you are the branches; remain in me, and I remain in you," highlights the fact that we are entirely dependent on God. We must recognize that God is the ultimate owner of our lives, and He has given us authority over all his creations. As the caretakers of God's creation, it is our responsibility to look after everything.
Today's Gospel reminds us to have a strong faith in God, stay connected to Him, and find joy in His blessings. A firm foundation of faith helps us overcome life's challenges.
To remain with God, follow Jesus' teachings and God's commandments. Temptations may come, but God remains in us, always guiding and helping us through life's struggles. We need to rejoice in His blessings.
Everyone can access the multitude of fruits that the vines, firmly rooted in their branches, bear. We rejoice in the blessings bestowed upon us. God invites us to find joy in both the teachings of His word and their practical application. This includes taking care of not only the people in our lives but also the environment around us.
God's word must nourish and nurture our faith. Staying faithful to God and obeying His commandments strengthens our faith.
Call to Action for Catholic Living: Whatever gifts, successes, and achievements we have, we must keep in mind that these are all blessings that come from God, and we should rejoice in His blessings.
Lord, assist us in maintaining our faith, staying rooted in you, and celebrating your blessings. Amen.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.