Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • April 26, 2024 5 Compassionate Service 228-374-5650 Bradfordokeefe.com Opening Remarks -- Story: In 1985, when the company I worked for shut down, I presented business plans to several banks, hoping to get money to buy their assets at liquidation and start my own business. After six months of unanswered prayers and rejections for financing, I was introduced to Joe, a Catholic Christian, and discussed my plan with him. The following week, Joe took me into a bank (which had previously turned me down), introduced me to the president, and said, “Lend him the money he needs and collateralize it with one of my Certificates of Deposit.” The bank president replied, “Yes, Sir,” and gave me the loan. With money secured, I started a small business remanufacturing automotive parts. God used this venture to bless our family and many others along the way as we employed as many as thirty-two people. Encouragement: Today’s first reading introduces Saul’s arrival in Jerusalem,whereBarnabas(“SonofEncouragement”) ‘took charge of him’ and convinced the Church that Paul’s encounter with Jesus and dramatic conversion was real. Barnabas was the encourager Paul needed to help him launch a mission to the Gentiles and bear much fruit for the kingdom of God. There are three ways to treat someone who is trying to succeed in a task: 1. Do all in your power to discourage and thwart their efforts and build roadblocks at every turn, hoping they fail. 2. Do nothing to hinder or help their progress and not care if they succeed. 3. Take them by the hand, help them in every way possible, and stick with them until success is assured. The disciple’s Joe and Barnabas took this third path. But why would you and I want to act this way? Today’s readings give us a clue. Thanksgiving: Today’s section of Psalm 22 is a hymn of thanksgiving, calling others to join in praising the Lord for coming to the petitioner’s rescue. Individual and communal prayer, praise, and thankfulness are fitting when petitioning God to hear our prayer and respond positively. When one member of the body of Christ suffers, we all suffer. When one rejoices, we should all rejoice. Children of God: Today’s second reading provides insight into how we can be encouragers. “Children, let us love not only in word or speech but in deed and truth.” By addressing his audience as “children,” John declares that all believers are family, brothers, and sisters in Christ because we are children of God. That familial love, which is a share in the love Jesus demonstrated by giving His life for us, compels us to express love for another through our actions. John continues by summing up the commandments in terms of love for Jesus and love for each other. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22: 36-40). This is nothing less than a call to radical love. “If you hear someone being highly praised, be much more pleased than if they were praising you” -- St. Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle. Fruit that Lasts: Jesus, in today’s gospel, speaks of being the true vine – what images come to mind? My grandfather grew grapes and made his own wine. As they grow, the branches of a grapevine entwine around the vine, the source of their life growth, and interweave around each other. The young green tendrils grasp at and cling to other branches for support, gradually growing into a permanent living bond of fruitfulness. This is an image of the body of Christ, the Church. The old vine, the original chosen people, have been succeeded by the new vine, the Church, whose head is Jesus Christ. Our Lord describes two situations: those who joined the vine (through baptism) but have chosen not to bear fruit and those who do yield some fruit but desire to yield more. The former, having cut themselves off, are cut away. The latter are pruned through trials and suffering so they can bear more fruit. Although pruning may hurt for a while, it produces maturity in faith and more abundance in efficacious witness. In what ways have your hardships drawn you closer to Christ? As members of Christ’s body and branches bound together to the one vine, we are also bound to Christ. Our deep connection with and dependence on Jesus makes us more loving, caring, forgiving, and encouraging -- demonstrated by our actions. Closing Remarks and Questions: We live in a throw-away society. Spouses, children in the womb, the elderly, and friends are easily discarded in favor of self-serving priorities. In contrast, Jesus never gives up on anyone. After His resurrection, He searched for and found His disciples in an upper room, in fishing boats, and on an Emmaus road. Jesus, the true vine, is firmly planted, unwavering in love, and unmovable in compassion. Our effectiveness comes by remaining in Him and drawing from His life-giving strength, wisdom, and power. Can we pray: Lord, prune me and make me fruitful. Cut away all that does not give you honor and glory. In what ways have you been pruned by God lately, and how has that produced growth in faith and zeal for encouraging others? Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31 Responsorial Psalm: 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32 2nd Reading: 1 John 3:18-24 Gospel: John 15:1-8 Fifth Sunday of Easter Encourage Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries Pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood, to the diaconate, and to the religious life, especially in the Diocese of Biloxi.