5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 27 & April 28, 2024
REFLECTION ON TODAY'S READING
Open yourself to this Sunday, the Lord's day. He says to you: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. (Jn 15:1-8) He cuts off the branches in you that bear no fruit; he prunes those that do, so that they bear more. Sometimes, Lord, pruning is painful, because it involves breaking off, losing and giving up. But when they come from your loving Heart, they are opportunities for You to purify our hearts by removing what prevents us from putting You at the center of our lives. "Without Jesus, we can do nothing, like branches without the vine."" (Pope Francis)
Do you welcome losses and renunciations as this pruning happens that strengthens you and helps you put the Lord at the center of your life? Lord, we offer you our day for this month's prayer intention. Offering prayer.
Under the directive from the Diocese of Honolulu
St. Joseph Church has set up an egiving program to allow parishioners and guests an easier way to give. It will also allow the donors to: 1. Give from anywhere using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. 2. No need to find a check or stop by the ATM. 3. Use your Checking/Savings Account or your Debit/Credit Card. 4. Schedule gifts to occur automatically. Click on the give now link or on your phone using my parish app. “All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 16:17
Online donations may be made at any time from the comfort of your own home or any place with internet access. Online donations are credited to your tax statement for the end of the year (except when made anonymously)and you can change your account preferences and donation amounts at any time.
New documents from the Vatican:
Saint Joseph Church Makawao - Bulletin
The Gospel Reading, John 15:1-8
Jesus teaches that he is the vine and that his disciples are the branches.
Today’s reading from the Gospel of John is part of Jesus’ discourse at the Last Supper. Recall that John tells the story of Jesus’ Last Supper differently from the other Evangelists. In John’s Gospel, the Last Supper begins with Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Jesus then provides them with a series of instructions. We call this section the Last Supper discourse or Jesus’ farewell discourse. In these chapters of John’s Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples about the importance of following his example of love and service, about the gift they will receive when Jesus sends them the Holy Spirit, and about their relationship with Jesus and with the world. The Last Supper discourse concludes with Jesus’ prayer for his disciples.
Today’s Gospel reading is taken from middle of the Last Supper discourse. Jesus speaks about his relationship to his disciples. In his metaphor of the vine and the branches, Jesus is referencing the Hebrew Scriptures. In the Hebrew Scriptures, Israel is the vineyard, and Yahweh himself tends the vineyard. One of the primary themes of John’s Gospel is to show Jesus to be the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.
In this passage, Jesus teaches his disciples that his relationship with them will not end after his death; he will remain with them always. This unity between Jesus and his disciples is the basis for their ability to continue to do the work that he began. Similarly, Jesus’ presence with us through the Gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to continue the work of love and reconciliation that he began.
Jesus also teaches his disciples about the importance of the words he has taught to them. Just as Jesus will remain in the disciples, so too will his words. We come to know Jesus through the Scriptures, the living Word of God. Our commitment to be Christ’s disciples is sustained through God’s Word. This commitment is also strengthened by our life of prayer and nourished by the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist, Jesus dwells in us, remains with us, and transforms us so that we might bear fruit in his name.
We observe many people who act in ways that show their commitment to serve their neighbor. Christians and non-Christians feed the hungry, care for the sick, shelter the homeless, and give alms to the poor. These actions become acts of Christian discipleship when they are motivated by our relationship with Jesus. Whatever the immediate results, Jesus promises us that these actions will bear fruit when we undertake them in his name. .
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(https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection )
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LIVESTEAMING MASS
For those of you that are not physically able to attend mass you may go to the Catholic Herald and see the listings of parishes that live streams or go to the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, downtown Honolulu will continue to live stream on Sundays at 10 AM, Weekdays at 12 PM, Saturdays at 12 PM and 5 PM https://www.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/LiveStream.html .
A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT
Jesus offers a quintessential stewardship statement in today’s Gospel reading: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” Jesus Christ offers us the fullness of eternal life. Do our lives reveal that this is what we want? Do we believethat by hearing the Word of the Lord and responding we not only produce “good fruit,” but abide in the very life of God?
— (https://www.catholicstewardship.com)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
First Thursday of Every Month. Come anytime between 5-6:30 pm.. All are Welcome!
THRIFT SHOP HOURS OF OPERATION
Effective May 2021, the Thrift Store hours of operation became every Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 12 noon.
SOCIAL OUTREACH MINISTRY
The Food Pantry holds a drive by distribution, every third Thursday from 8-9 a.m. or while supply lasts. To qualify simply signup as you drive up. The Food Pantry is also accepting non-perishables. Thank you!
