Fifth Sunday of Easter

Today the Church celebrates the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 9:26-31, 1 John 3:18-24, and John 15:1-8. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 22 (Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32). 

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: I Will Praise You, Lord, In the Assembly of Your People. Psalm 22 (B050)

The Gospel reading is as follows: 

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Fifth Sunday of Easter May 2, 2021

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 2, 2021)

Crossroads Initiative: Saul of Tarsus - From Sour Grapes to Fruit of the Spirit

St. Paul Center: On the Vine: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Easter

Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality: Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: This Sunday, How to Tell If You are Christian (29 APR 21)

The Quiet Corner: Faith and charity are the foundation stones on which the Christian life rests and grows (29 APR 21)

Word on Fire: Becoming a Friend, Healer, and Teacher (Cycle B * Easter * Week 5)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Easter Exhortation: 'Bear Much Fruit' (29 APR 21) 

Spirituality of the Readings: Cutting Back (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B) 

In Exile: On Naming the Present Moment (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B) 

Glancing Thoughts: Be Fruitful and Multiply (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B)

The Perspective of Justice: The Vine (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B)

The Word Embodied: Radical Faith (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Persecutor Turned Promoter (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B)

Historical Cultural Context: God the Patron (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B) 

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Augustine (5th Sunday of Easter - Year B)