Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

1st Reading – Acts 15:1-6

And some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of the other side, should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem about this question.

They therefore being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phenice, and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them.

But there arose some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, saying: They must be circumcised, and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.

And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5

R. (see 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

Alleluia – John 15:4A, 5B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel – John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: I AM the true vine; and my Father is the vine grower.

Every branch in me, that bears not fruit, he will take away: and every one that bears fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you.

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.

I am the vine; you the branches: he that abides in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

If anyone abides 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 burns.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you.

In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples.