Daily Readings - Tue May 14 2024

¹⁵In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty)¹⁶"Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus¹⁷He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry²⁰For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.²¹Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us²²beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.²³And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias²⁴And praying, they said: "May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen²⁵to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.²⁶And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles

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 fulfilled¹²This 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

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the essence of community, love, and mission in our Christian journey. In the First Reading from Acts, the apostles, following Jesus’ ascension, address the vacancy left by Judas. They seek to maintain the integrity of their group, ensuring their number remains at twelve, a symbol of completeness. This act underscores the importance of unity and continuity in the face of loss. The Gospel from John complements this narrative, as Jesus, preparing His disciples for His departure, emphasizes the foundation of their mission: love. He calls them friends, sharing all He has received from the Father, and commissions them to bear lasting fruit through love. The context of these readings is pivotal. The apostles, after the resurrection, are restoring their community to fulfill their mission effectively. Similarly, Jesus, in His final discourse, prepares His disciples to carry on His work, rooted in love. These passages highlight the interconnectedness of community and mission, showing that a united body is essential for spreading God’s message. In our daily lives, these readings remind us to cherish and nurture unity within our communities. Just as the apostles sought to maintain their integrity, we must strive to keep our relationships grounded in love and mutual support. Jesus’ commandment to love one another is not merely a suggestion but the cornerstone of our Christian identity. As we go about our lives, we are called to bear fruit through acts of love and service, reflecting Jesus’ example. Let us embrace this mission with joy and fidelity, remembering that our actions speak volumes about our faith.