Scripture Study for
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:26–31 / Psalm 22:26a / 1 John 3:18–24 / John 15:1-8
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Understanding the Word
By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.
Saul, the formidable persecutor, has now become a disciple of the risen Lord. Initially he meets resistance, not to his message but to his claim of conversion. It takes another member of the community to witness to the saving grace of God that transformed Saul into a believer. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, surely God can recreate Saul. Saul’s rebirth as a disciple is a sign of the grace that has been unleashed by the Resurrection. It was the risen Jesus that Saul encountered and it is that same risen Jesus that he now proclaims. The power of God is unfathomable.
The author of the Letter of John insists that it is not enough to proclaim love for God; it must be demonstrated through concrete action. There seems to have been a sense of guilt somewhere in the community. The writer assures them that God’s love far exceeds any guilt that they may experience. They are called to believe this, thus rooting their faith in confidence. This confidence is also manifested in the way they turn to God in prayer. Although only one commandment is placed before them here, its focus is twofold. They are to believe in the name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another.
The metaphor of vine and branches characterizes the intimate nature of the relationship between Jesus and his followers. Jesus lives in his branches, and his branches live in his life. The vine is not totally dependent on any one branch or group of branches. Therefore, it can endure pruning without withering and dying. However, there is no vine if there are no branches at all. The basis of this union is acceptance of and fidelity to the words of Jesus, not ethnic or national identity. The vitality expressed by this image is unmistakable. The vine and the branches are alive with the life of God.