Daily Readings - Thu May 18 2017

First Reading - Acts 15.7-21

⁷And after a great contention had taken place, Peter rose up and said to them: "Noble brothers, you know that, in recent days, God has chosen from among us, by my mouth, Gentiles to hear the word of the Gospel and to believe⁸And God, who knows hearts, offered testimony, by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as to us⁹And he distinguished nothing between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith¹⁰Now therefore, why do you tempt God to impose a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear¹¹But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe in order to be saved, in the same manner also as them.¹²Then the entire multitude was silent. And they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, describing what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them¹³And after they had been silent, James responded by saying: "Noble brothers, listen to me¹⁴Simon has explained in what manner God first visited, so as to take from the Gentiles a people to his name¹⁵And the words of the Prophets are in agreement with this, just as it was written¹⁶‘After these things, I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. And I will rebuild its ruins, and I will raise it up¹⁷so that the rest of men may seek the Lord, along with all the nations over whom my name has been invoked, says the Lord, who does these things.¹⁸To the Lord, his own work has been known from eternity¹⁹Because of this, I judge that those who were converted to God from among the Gentiles are not to be disturbed²⁰but instead that we write to them, that they should keep themselves from the defilement of idols, and from fornication, and from whatever has been suffocated, and from blood²¹For Moses, from ancient times, has had in each city those who preach him in the synagogues, where he is read on every Sabbath.

Gospel - John 15.9-11

John

Chapter 15

⁹As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love¹⁰If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love¹¹These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through two pivotal moments in the history of our faith. The first reading from Acts 15:7-21 recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the early Church grappled with whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish traditions like circumcision. Peter's impassioned speech and James' wise conclusion emphasized God's universal love, leading to a decision that welcomed Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens. This moment was crucial as it set the course for Christianity to spread beyond its Jewish roots, embracing a diverse and inclusive community. The Gospel reading from John 15:9-11 shifts our focus to Jesus' words about abiding in His love. He teaches that just as He keeps His Father's commandments, we must do the same to remain in His love. This mutual bond of love and obedience is the essence of our relationship with God, promising joy and fulfillment. These readings intertwine beautifully, both highlighting the themes of love and unity. The Council's decision was an act of love, recognizing God's plan for all people. Similarly, Jesus' commandment to love is not just a rule but an invitation to a deeper, joyful relationship with Him. Together, they remind us that our faith is both inclusive and transformative. In our daily lives, these teachings call us to embrace diversity and unity within our communities. Just as the early Church navigated differences to find common ground, we too can build bridges of understanding and love. By keeping Jesus' commandments, we not only abide in His love but also become vessels of that love in the world. Let us strive to be instruments of God's love, fostering unity and joy in all we do.