Fifth Wednesday of Eastertide – Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8

We desire our petitions to be fulfilled. But do we long to bear fruit for the glory of God? Is our yearning that joy which accompanied Paul, Barnabas and the brethren in Phoenicia, Samaria and, finally, the Church in Jerusalem?

So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the Apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them

They journeyed to Jerusalem with an issue that had to be entrusted to the Church for resolution. Yet they travelled in joy, bearing armfuls of the fruits of their preaching. Those to whom they spoke shared in their joy. Before their very eyes – indeed, through them – the words were fulfilled: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Jesus said. Their prayers were heard. Now they rejoiced in a rich harvest. “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

We desire our petitions to be fulfilled. But do we long to bear fruit for the glory of God? Is our yearning that joy which accompanied Paul, Barnabas and the brethren in Phoenicia, Samaria and, finally, the Church in Jerusalem? Does what we ask serve to multiply God’s glory or our own? God’s glory or… that of our community?

It is easy to confuse the two. Then, in Jerusalem, some of the converted Pharisees said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” They wanted to include them within their own fold. The young Church chose a different path – a path that brought great glory to God and enabled His Name to be proclaimed throughout the earth.

Which path will we choose?