Daily Readings - Fri May 07 2021

²²Then it pleased the Apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to choose men from among them, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, and Judas, who was surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, preeminent men among the brothers²³what was written by their own hands: "The Apostles and elders, brothers, to those who are at Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, brothers from the Gentiles, greetings²⁴Since we have heard that some, going out from among us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no commandment²⁵it pleased us, being assembled as one, to choose men and to send them to you, with our most beloved Barnabas and Paul²⁶men who have handed over their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ²⁷Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, with the spoken word, reaffirm to you the same things²⁸For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose no further burden upon you, other than these necessary things²⁹that you abstain from things immolated to idols, and from blood, and from what has been suffocated, and from fornication. You will do well to keep yourselves from these things. Farewell.³⁰And so, having been dismissed, they went down to Antioch. And gathering the multitude together, they delivered the epistle³¹And when they had read it, they were gladdened by this consolation

John

Chapter 15

¹²This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you¹³No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends¹⁴You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you¹⁵I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you¹⁶You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you¹⁷This I command you: that you love one another

Sermon

In today's readings, we reflect on the essence of unity and love within the Christian community. The first reading from Acts recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the early Church addressed the inclusion of Gentile converts, demonstrating a commitment to unity and compassion. The decision to send delegates with reassuring guidelines highlights the importance of maintaining harmony amidst diversity. The Gospel from John emphasizes Jesus' teachings on love and friendship, urging His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, and to bear lasting fruit through their actions. These readings, though from different contexts, share a common theme of unity and love. The Council of Jerusalem shows the Church's adaptability and focus on unity, while Jesus' Farewell Discourse underscores the transformative power of love. Together, they remind us that unity and love are not just ideals but actionable principles for Christian living. In our daily lives, we are called to embody these values. Whether resolving conflicts with compassion or reaching out to others with selfless love, we must foster unity and support one another. Just as the early Church and Jesus' disciples were chosen to bear fruit, we too are called to live out our faith in ways that reflect the unity and love that define our Christian identity.