Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

First Reading - Acts 11.1-4, 15-18

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The news was reaching the apostles and believers throughout Judea that the Gentiles also were hearing and welcoming the word of God. But when Peter returned to Jerusalem, some of the Hebrew believers criticised him, demanding to know why he had accepted hospitality from Gentiles, and had even eaten with them. So Peter explained the whole sequence of events, from his vision, while at prayer, to the gathering at the house of Cornelius. And Peter explained, ‘As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as it had upon us, at the beginning. And I remembered that the Lord had said, “John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” I saw that God was giving them the same gift that God gave us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And surely it was not for me to hinder the work of God!’ When they heard Peter’s account, they could object no longer. And they praised God, saying, ‘Now we see that God has granted repentance and life even to the Gentiles.’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 1 John 3.16-24a

A reading from the first letter of John. This is how we know what love is: that Christ laid down his life for us. In the same way, we should lay down our lives for one another. And surely we will lay down our worldly goods to support any brother or sister in need. My brothers and sisters, let us love, not only in words, but also in deeds. Then we will know that we belong to the truth. In place of a troubled conscience, we will have peace in our hearts. We will come before God without doubt or fear. We will have the confidence to make our requests known to God, trusting that God will hear our prayers. For this is God’s commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another. All who keep this commandment live in God, and God lives in them. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - John 15.1-8

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that does bear fruit, he cleans, and prunes, to bear more fruit. You have been cleansed by the words that I have spoken to you. Now remain in me, as I remain in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit, unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing - like a cut and withered branch. But if you remain in me, and my words remain in you, whatever you ask, it will be done for you. There is glory for my Father in this: that you bear much fruit as my disciples.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.