"I am the Vine, you are the branches."

This image of the vine conveys the deep intimacy of communion between Jesus and us!

In the same way, Jesus asked His disciples and us to "remain in me." Such union and fellowship with Christ will bring fruitfulness in our lives. This is expressed in our way of life, a living union with Christ! This is absolutely necessary for without it we can do nothing. So genuine salvation is evidenced by a life of fruitfulness especially in the context of a community.

This is well expressed in the First reading where we see how the Church at Jerusalem met to consider the nature of the true gospel. Some Jewish believers queried about the practice of circumcision and of the obligation to enforce it as a condition for salvation. This same concern is found in Paul's Letter to the Galatians. If the Church had enforced this teaching, Christianity would have become a mere sect of Judaism.

In a multi-religious society like Malaysia, we are constantly reminded and challenged to become a Easter People - to live Jesus within our local cultural milieu, that is, to inculturate our faith in the daily life situations of today. Are we moving with the Spirit of Evangelization and focusing on situations of injustice and exploitation? How would Jesus want us to respond?