First Reading
Acts 9:26-31

1. What motivated Paul to speak out boldly?  Think of examples of people who speak out to bring changes in social justice. Name some ways to “speak out” using your voice.

2. What injustices cry out to you to speak out frankly, without fear, and to bear the courage of your convictions, just as the early apostles did?

Second Reading
1 John 3:18-24

1. St. John says to “walk the walk, not just to talk the talk.” Where do you fit on a continuum between walkers and talkers?

2. What would your world look like if every day, you performed a kind deed for some unsuspecting person? Who would benefit from these acts?

Gospel
John 15:1-8

1. And everyone that [bears fruit] he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” Have you ever felt like you were being “pruned?” Explain. At times do you have “dead wood” that needs to be pruned? Discuss.

2. “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.” What are some of the unimaginable fruits to which Pope Francis refers that might result from this mutual abiding?

Because he says: “Abide in Me, and I in you” (v. 4). He also abides in us, not only we in him. It’s a mutual abiding. In another part he says: my Father and I “will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). This is a mystery, but it’s a mystery of life, a most beautiful mystery is this mutual abiding. Also with the example of the branches: it’s true, without the vine the branches can do nothing because the lymph doesn’t flow; they need lymph to grow and bear fruit. However, the tree, the vine needs the branches, because fruits aren’t attached to the tree, to the vine. It’s a mutual need; it’s a mutual abiding to bear fruit.

Pope's Morning Homily: Abiding in Jesus,
enables us to bear unimaginable fruit
May 13, 2020