FIFTH EASTER (B)

Sunday 29 April 2018

The Examen How have I lived out last week’s Gospel message? … What was tough? … What was rewarding? The Introduction A good coach sees potential in the team and pushes each individual to try harder than their best. For those who are gifted and talented, this push makes them even better. Their skills are refined as long as they continue to practice and listen to their trusted coach. Jesus is your coach. He knows your potential and desires only to help you bear good fruit. We can’t bear fruit on our own, we need to stay connected to the vine so that God can work through us. Stay attuned to the Holy Spirit working within you to grow. Pray to the Holy Spirit to keep you close to God and to become a strong disciple. The Call to Prayer Leader:

Jesus is the true vine and God is the vine grower.

All:

We are the branches.

Leader:

It is God’s Word that makes the branches strong;

All:

and the Word bears fruit.

Leader:

The Word gives rise to action;

All:

and action proves our discipleship.

Leader:

God celebrates when we act faithfully;

All:

and we give back praise and glory, to God. Amen.

The Scripture

(John 15: 1 – 8)

Jesus 1:

I am the true vine, and God is the vine grower who removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit God prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.

Jesus 2:

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.

Jesus 3:

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown into the fire and burned.

Jesus 4:

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. God is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Jesus 5:

God loves me for this: that I lay down my life to take it up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down freely. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This command I received from the One who sent me.

The Focus

You Are Connected!

Let me tell you about a school student who quit football because he lacked confidence and didn’t have friends on the team. He later regretted it. But it was too hard for him, with all his self-doubts, to practice each day. Confidence and friendship. Both can be tough to find. Many young people struggle to connect with peers who will accept them as they are. Many also struggle to be confident in who they are. This week’s Gospel hits home on both points. Even though all of us can feel alone and insecure, it reminds us that in some mystical but real way, we are always connected to Jesus. And through that connection, we can discover and develop our talents for changing the world. We also can use that connection to call for help when we feel disconnected and lonely. Let me tell you about another student. She was a shy, insecure kid. But during high school, she connected with Jesus through service trips, community service and retreats. Through them she became a confident leader, well respected by her classmates, with strong friendships. You’re a young person. You’ll probably struggle with confidence and loneliness. But during those tough times, reread this passage. And remember, you’re firmly connected to the Saviour of the world. Like any relationship, the more you hang out with Jesus, the stronger the connection becomes. So hang out with him by involving yourself in Mass, retreats, prayer, and friendships with other Christians. You’ll feel the connection growing. And the more you strengthen that connection, the easier it will be to find the friends and the confidence you’ve hoped for. The Music Connection (Sunday’s Song) ‘FIREWORK’

Katy Perry

Teenage Dreams

(Capital Records)

The vine is a single plant. All its branches share the life its roots draw from the soil and its leaves from the sun. A vine can spread extravagantly from its roots but one life flows through the whole plant. The branches abide on the vine. Friendship with Jesus lasts into his risen life. It remains. Communion of life persists. The risen Jesus is at home in his disciples and they are at home with him. Jesus dwells in them and they dwell in Jesus. Key lines:

Cause baby you’re a firework / Come on show ‘em what you’re worth / Make ‘em go ‘Oh, oh, oh!’ / As you shoot across the sky

With whom are you at home? In what relationships do you abide? How do these relationships help you understand your relationship with Jesus and with God? What fruit can the Church as a global vine bear in the world? How can you act in solidarity? The Action In the week ahead, be both a giver and seeker of advice. Find a younger person you can offer some wisdom to and find an older-than-you person who can give you some advice. The Song Suggestions

(Song suggestions taken from ‘Spirit & Song’ Spirit & Song/OCP Publications)

‘AWESOME GOD’ Rich Mullins

‘I AM THE VINE’ John Michael Talbot

The Question of the Week If a word or phrase from the Gospel grabs your heart: sit quietly for a few moments, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Perhaps even journal on the following question: • Who do you know at school, in your sports team, or in your place of part-time work that is lonely? What could you do to ease their loneliness?