Fifth Sunday of Easter – Year B

# In Christian theology we speak of mystical union when we describe the close personal existential bond, communion, that unites the Christian to Jesus Christ and through which he shares in the saving benefits of his life, death and resurrection. This communion is called mystical because it is realised in a mysterious and supernatural way. Within Christianity there are different approaches to the subject of mystical union.

For Roman Catholicism and parts of Anglicanism and Lutheranism, this union is established through baptism and nourished by the sacraments, which are seen as the privileged means through which grace is communicated. Mysticism so emphasises the identification of Christ with the Christian that, it claims, a kind of total fusion takes place, even though they remain distinct persons. Religious rationalism conceives of God as an immanent reality in the world and in every human mind.

Christ would be immanent in human nature and spirit. Salvation is therefore conceived universalistically, regardless of the individual’s conscious belief in Christ. This is why he often quotes the biblical text: « For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive » (1 Co 15, 22)

From the Gospel of John

« I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch that bears no fruit in me he takes away ; and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already worlds because of the word that I have spoken to you.«  Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so you cannot bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing.

Whoever does not abide in me is cast away like the vine and withers; then they gather them up, throw them into the fire and burn them. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask what you will and it will be given you. 8 In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (John 15, 1-8)

What does it mean to be a Christian ?

With this page from John’s Gospel, we have arrived at the heart of faith: Jesus finally explains to his disciples what it means to be his disciple. Jesus is not just a guide or a companion, a friend or a brother. He is our life. He is alive in each of us and makes us live with his divine life. He teaches us that he is the true vine, but not the only one; he is the vine, the trunk to which he wants to unite all those he calls to life : « I am the vine and you are the branches. »

In the first reading, we have the example of someone who became circumcised. On the road to Damascus, Paul was stripped of everything and grafted into the true vine that was Christ, of which he was to be one of the most fruitful branches. We Christians are united to Him by faith and baptism. What God expects of us is that we are a living vine that bears fruit. This will only be truly possible if we are united to Christ ; there is one word that occurs seven times in a few lines, and that is the verb abide. « Abide in me ! »

Jesus tells us. Christians are men and women who abide in Christ. The inevitable question then arises: abide in Jesus, yes, but how? How can we be sure that we will meet him ? It is not the same as with our neighbour in the neighbourhood or village. We do not meet Jesus directly, but through intermediaries. We have three ways to do this: through the Word of God, through prayer and the sacraments, and through daily life The way of the Word of God: to abide in Christ, we must abide in His Word.

We must give ourselves time to receive Him. This Word of God is given to us through the Bible, the Gospel, a magazine, a religious book, a Christian programme on radio or television, and also through the Word proclaimed at Sunday Mass. Do we give ourselves time to receive this Word ? The second way to abide in Christ is through prayer and the sacraments. To remain in His presence, we must speak to Him and listen to Him. This is faithful, regular and frequent prayer, not just a little prayer now and then.

We speak to Jesus to entrust someone to Him, or to tell Him thanks, or to ask Him to enlighten our lives. Prayer helps us to remain in communion with Christ. This communion is also achieved through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist: it is the source and summit of all Christian life. It enables us to be united with Christ, to become one with him. We receive his love in order to live it in our daily lives. The third way is that of daily life: what makes a life worth living is not beautiful words but mutual love, gestures of sharing, acceptance and solidarity.

Let us not be discouraged when we have been unfaithful, when we feel like dead branches. God is bigger than our hearts and knows everything. His merciful love can always bind us to the true vine and make us bear fruit in abundance. In short, what Jesus asks of us is to be connected to Him in every situation of our lives. Then our lives will bear fruit and God will be proud of us. It is here that we will find the true meaning of our lives.

Deacon Michel Houyoux

Links to other Christian sites

◊ Loloya Press : click here to read the paper →Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

◊ Vanderbilt University : click here to read the paper → Year B – Easter – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Vidéo Passion City Church : click here → https://youtu.be/21Znp_p7V2E?t=26