Connected for Bountiful Harvest

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, of the USCCB, today challenge us to assess our connection to the vine of Christ and the nature of the fruit we produce to be a harvest of love.

Looking for Fruit on the Vine

In Canada, the texts chosen by CCCB are for the Memorial of  St. François de Laval

Reading: no. 722(12), p. 804:  2 Timothy 4.1-5

Gospel: no. 724(10), p. 813: John 10. 11-16 (Memorial of St. François De Laval, n.d.)

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the Council of Jerusalem.

* [15:1–35] The Jerusalem “Council” marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing.

* [15:1–5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 122 is sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents Jesus discourse on The Vine and the Branches.

* [15:1–16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus.

* [15:1–17] Like Jn 10:1–5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Is 5:1–7; Mt 21:33–46 and as a vine at Ps 80:9–17; Jer 2:21; Ez 15:2; 17:5–10; 19:10; Hos 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Ps 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sir 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf. Mk 14:25, “the fruit of the vine.”

* [15:2] Takes away, prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs.

* [15:6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Costanzo comments that vineyards and gardens are both beautiful analogies for faith and belief in God. Just as a vineyard and a garden needs to be cared for so does our faith life.

Vines as well as flowers have delicate root systems that grow in strength with the right nutrients, water, and sun. Similarly, our faith is delicate and requires nurturing to gain depth and strength. The right nutrients may include regular faith sharing with a church community, family, and/or friends. Perhaps daily quiet time with God to read, reflect, and journal. 

Vineyards and gardens mature each year, and their yields are increasingly robust and richer.  Similarly, when we spend time nurturing our faith it grows stronger and is more influential. 

The scripture reading today communicates how God is always present, his love is deep and abiding as is his commitment to nurture and guide us through life. Vineyards and gardens provide time to enjoy nature’s silence, to listen to an inner voice that may be God communicating perhaps sharing a simple message of love stating  “ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you”……

I in turn count the many blessings in my life that are gifts from God…especially the vineyards/gardens within my life. (Costanzo, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Cleansed by Jesus' word,” by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.

"So the world - life enslaved by carnal passions - can no more receive the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye can look at the light of a sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples' lives through his teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot receive him, because it neither sees him nor knows him... You know him, for he dwells with you' (John 14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who settled the earth and the things in it; and gives breath to the people on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5). From this we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above them become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:1-8 comments that Jesus once said that his true family are those who “hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke 8:21). That one sentence captures Mary’s whole life! In spite of the intense suffering she experienced, she remained in her son by keeping her thoughts and the meditations of her heart fixed on the words, the promises, and the clear signs she had received.

Take some time to reflect on the words of today’s Gospel, or on a time you heard the Lord speaking to you. Maybe it was through a Scripture passage, a homily, or the words of a wise friend. Jesus is the vine—your loving, caring, ever-nourishing vine. As you reflect on his words, you will remain in him, and you will bear fruit. Even when suffering comes, as it did for Mary, you will be able to continue remaining in Jesus and bearing the fruit of peace and love in this world.

“Lord, I choose to remain in you today.” (Meditation on John 15:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments the Acts passage Paul and Barnabas are preaching and they receive many converts some of whom are Gentile. The Religious Authorities in Jerusalem are concerned that the converts follow Jewish dietary law and feasts as they were actually converts to Judaism who were following Jesus. In Galatians, Paul is in charge but here, in Acts, Peter and James are in charge. The Gospel of John declares we produce fruit attached to the vine. Wild branches without fruit are cut off. Friar Jude notes this is not a threat but a warning that we may survive our lives, but never really live it, if we are not connected to Christ.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Stephanie Paulsell who considers how praying with the Song of Songs can help us discover “good news”.

The Song offers us a way of reading that is also a way of receiving the world, a way that leads to prayer. By inviting us into the dialogue of the two lovers, we are encouraged to read as they love—lingering in the presence of the beloved, admiring the beloved’s beauty and grace, and adoring both what can be seen and known and spoken of, and what is beyond our sight, beyond our ability to know or describe. In a world marked by speed and overwhelmed by information, the Song offers us a space beneath the pine branches and cedar boughs to read slowly, admiringly, meditatively…. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to choose the nurture of Christ as the food for fullness of life that will produce fruit in the Garden of the Lord.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?1 

Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-6-2026 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?1 

Meditation on John 15:1-8. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/06/1559705/ 

Memorial of St. François de Laval. (n.d.). Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://www.cccb.ca/ 

Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Book of Devotion. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-book-of-devotion/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Abide in Me, and I in You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 6, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Advent and Authority

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge our understanding of authority as Jesus acts to heal a Roman soldier in occupied Israel.

Advent and Faith

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a later addition to the oracles of Isaiah.

* [4:2–6] Usually judged as a later addition to the oracles of Isaiah. It relieves the threatening tone of the surrounding chaps. 3 and 5.

* [4:2] Branch: the term (Heb. semah) that is sometimes used of the ideal Davidic king of the future (cf. Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12). However, the parallel “fruit of the land” does not favor that usage here.

* [4:3] Inscribed for life: in God’s list of the elect; cf. Ex 32:32. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 122 is sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew, proclaims Jesus healing of a Centurion’s Servant.

* [8:5–13] This story comes from Q (see Lk 7:1–10) and is also reflected in Jn 4:46–54. The similarity between the Q story and the Johannine is due to a common oral tradition, not to a common literary source. As in the later story of the daughter of the Canaanite woman (Mt 15:21–28) Jesus here breaks with his usual procedure of ministering only to Israelites and anticipates the mission to the Gentiles.

* [8:5] A centurion: a military officer commanding a hundred men. He was probably in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; see note on Mt 14:1.

* [8:8–9] Acquainted by his position with the force of a command, the centurion expresses faith in the power of Jesus’ mere word.

* [8:10] In no one in Israel: there is good textual attestation (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus) for a reading identical with that of Lk 7:9, “not even in Israel.” But that seems to be due to a harmonization of Matthew with Luke.

* [8:11–12] Matthew inserts into the story a Q saying (see Lk 13:28–29) about the entrance of Gentiles into the kingdom and the exclusion of those Israelites who, though descended from the patriarchs and members of the chosen nation (the children of the kingdom), refused to believe in Jesus. There will be wailing and grinding of teeth: the first occurrence of a phrase used frequently in this gospel to describe final condemnation (Mt 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30). It is found elsewhere in the New Testament only in Lk 13:28. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Mason comments that the faith and trust thing is difficult.

How difficult must it have been for him to approach Jesus, not knowing what animosity he might face. But Jesus does not receive him with bias, rather He praises him for a faithfulness unlike what He has seen in Israel. I am sure that ruffled some feathers. Imagine an outsider being praised for such qualities? The centurion also approached with humility, seeking help not for himself but for another. He was trying to be a good steward of those who were his responsibility. He trusted the Lord to take care of his servant.

To conclude, I ask God to help us be good stewards of our relationships. May we have the courage to invite God into our lives, and help us to trust that through His unconditional love for us, He will lead us on the right path. (Mason, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Welcoming the Lord Jesus with expectant faith and humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When the Lord promised to go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.' By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility if he had not already welcomed in his heart the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility both by word and example sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon, and though he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). (excerpt from SERMON 62.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 8:5-1 comments that Jesus didn’t remind the centurion of how he might have harassed or abused the people of Capernaum. He didn’t expose any of the sins that the centurion’s servant might have committed, either. He just healed him, because the centurion was willing to believe in him.

That’s where it starts—with faith. When we understand that Jesus came to save everyone, we will begin to believe him and to surrender our lives to him. Meditate on that as you prepare for Christmas this month. Let this gospel truth change the way you pray. Let it change the way you go about your life at home, at work, and everywhere else.

“Thank you, Lord, for the amazing gift of your birth—for all of us!” (Meditation on Matthew 8:5-1, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in  the reading from Isaiah, God will purify Israel through great tribulation to bring them around so God can bless by  reminding them of Exodus and how they will prosper again. In the Gospel, the centurion asks Jesus to heal but he speaks about authority and is generous to Jesus, the Jew who would be thought “unclean” in his house. Friar Jude notes this reference to a faith stronger than in Israel. He notes that in Matthew addressed to the Jewish population, we unexpectedly see faith among the Gentiles greater than among the Chosen People.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Stephanie Duncan Smith who writes of Mary’s “yes” to God as a choice for expansion over contraction, mirroring God’s own yes in creation.

We stretch by reaching toward each other—by reaching out from the solo act into the plural “we,” the pronoun God loves most. Life is long, the feast is wide, and we are meant for keeping it together. Our hearts are a muscle made in the image of God, made for connection. And there are so many ways of being kindred.  

We enact our own advents every time we brave reaching beyond the borders of the self toward each other. Expansion is the anthem of anyone who is “brave enough to break your own heart.” [2] Every time we reach toward each other—considering the risk, compelled by love—we sing its anthem anew….[3]  

Advent is nothing if not the story of beginnings, revealing a God who dares to expand, who chooses enlargement over happiness, no matter the chaos. This season shows us the astonishing view of a God gone radial, one who will never stop reaching toward his beloved, no matter the risks. And so, in the true spirit of Advent, we find our courage to chance. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide us in our understanding of authority as a vehicle to demonstrate faith rather than a technique to impose our will on others.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/4?2 

Mason, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 1, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-1-2025 

Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8? 

Meditation on Matthew 8:5-1. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 1, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/01/1437647/ 

Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 1, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/expanding-beyond-ourselves/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Many Will Sit at Table in the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 1, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/