First Reading

Reading from the book of the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 15:1-6

In those days, some disciples came down from Judea to Antioch and began to teach the brothers that unless they were circumcised according to the law of Moses, they could not be saved.

This provoked a dispute and a heated argument with Paul and Barnabas; finally, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some others should go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. The Christian community provided for them on their journey, and they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the brothers how the Gentiles were turning to God, and they filled them with joy with this news.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Christian community, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done through them. But some of the converted Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to require them to keep the law of Moses.”

Then the apostles and the elders gathered together to examine the matter.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John

John 15:1-8

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit; every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.

You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”