Pruning for Unity & Truth in the Church – May 21 – Homily – Fr Ignatius

 

Fr Ignatius gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 21, 2025, where he uses the vine and branches metaphor to explain how Christians, grafted onto Christ through baptism, must remain faithful to bear spiritual fruit, as illustrated by the Council of Jerusalem’s discernment (John 15: 1-5).

Father employs the metaphor of Christ as the true vine and believers as branches (John 15: 1-5), illustrating that through baptism, sanctifying grace flows into our souls (CCC 1266), enabling us to bear supernatural fruit for God's glory. He explains that mortal sin severs this connection, but the sacrament of confession restores it (CCC 1468). If one refuses repentance, final condemnation awaits, as Christ warns that unfruitful branches are cast out and burned (John 15: 6). Drawing from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 15: 1-29), Father recounts how Paul and Barnabas addressed a dispute over whether Gentile converts needed circumcision, reflecting the Mosaic law's historical significance. They sought the apostles' judgment at the Council of Jerusalem, a model for ecumenical councils like Nicaea in 325, which defined Christ’s divinity, and Chalcedon in 451, which clarified His two natures (CCC 465). These councils, guided by the Holy Spirit, prune false notions to foster Church fruitfulness, though resistance, like Arianism or the Judaizing Ebionites, persists (Galatians 2: 1-10). Father emphasizes humility, citing Christ’s promise that the Spirit leads to all truth (John 16: 13), and urges fidelity to the Church, prayer for Christian unity (John 17: 21), and a life of love and kindness, reflecting the Spirit’s fruits (Galatians 5: 22-23), to witness Christ’s life-giving power.

For Further Reading
John 15: 1-5 - NAB - I am the true vine - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?1
John 15: 6 - NAB - Unfruitful branches are cast out - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?6
John 16: 13 - NAB - Spirit of truth guides you - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?13
John 17: 21 - NAB - That they may be one - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?21
Acts 15: 1-29 - NAB - The Council of Jerusalem - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?1
Galatians 2: 1-10 - NAB - Paul defends Gentile inclusion - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/2?1
Galatians 5: 22-23 - NAB - Fruits of the Spirit - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5?22
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1266 - Sanctifying Grace - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1266.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1468 - Sacrament of Reconciliation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#1468
Catechism of the Catholic Church #465 - Christ’s Two Natures - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm#465

00:00 - Christ the True Vine
00:18 - Baptism and Sanctifying Grace
00:33 - Mortal Sin and Confession
00:58 - Consequences of Unrepentance
01:20 - Paul and Barnabas’ Mission
01:49 - Debate Over Circumcision
02:35 - Council of Jerusalem
03:18 - Unity in the Church
04:14 - Role of Ecumenical Councils
05:56 - Historical Resistance to Councils
07:57 - Lessons of Humility and Unity
09:26 - Bearing Spiritual Fruit

Ave Maria!

Mass: Wednesday 5th Week of Easter - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052125.cfm
1st: act 15:1-6
Resp: psa 122:1-5
Gsp: joh 15:1-8

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1716

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