Daily Readings - Sun May 25 2025

¹And certain ones, descending from Judea, were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.²Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas made no small uprising against them, they decided that Paul and Barnabas, and some from the opposing side, should go up to the Apostles and priests in Jerusalem concerning this question²²Then 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.

Revelation

Chapter 21

¹⁰And he took me up in spirit to a great and high mountain. And he showed me the Holy City Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God¹¹having the glory of God. And its light was like that of a precious stone, even like that of the jasper stone or like crystal¹²And it had a wall, great and high, having twelve gates. And at the gates were twelve Angels. And names were written upon them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel¹³On the East were three gates, and on the North were three gates, and on the South were three gates, and on the West were three gates¹⁴And the wall of the City had twelve foundations. And upon them were the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb²²And I saw no temple in it. For the Lord God Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb²³And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine in it. For the glory of God has illuminated it, and the Lamb is its lamp

John

Chapter 14

²³Jesus responded and said to him: "If anyone loves me, he shall keep my word. And my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our dwelling place with him²⁴Whoever does not love me, does not keep not my words. And the word that you have heard is not of me, but it is of the Father who sent me²⁵These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will suggest to you everything whatsoever that I have said to you²⁷Peace I leave for you; my Peace I give to you. Not in the way that the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let it not fear²⁸You have heard that I said to you: I am going away, and I am returning to you. If you loved me, certainly you would be gladdened, because I am going to the Father. For the Father is greater than I²⁹And now I have told you this, before it happens, so that, when it will happen, you may believe

Sermon

The first reading from Acts 15 describes a pivotal moment in the early Church when the Apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem to resolve a controversy. Certain Jewish Christians were insisting that Gentile converts must be circumcised to be saved, but Paul and Barnabas opposed this, arguing that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. After much debate, the Council decided that Gentile converts did not need to be circumcised, but they should abstain from certain practices that could offend Jewish believers. This decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, reflects the Church's commitment to unity and its recognition that God's grace is available to all people. The second reading from Revelation 21 offers a vision of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that descends from God. This city is filled with the glory of God and is described as a place of perfect harmony and beauty, where God dwells among his people. The absence of a temple in this vision signifies that God himself is the temple, and his presence is the light that illuminates the city. This passage reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the eternal kingdom where God will dwell with us forever. In the Gospel reading from John 14, Jesus speaks about the importance of loving him and keeping his word. He promises that the Father will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to teach and guide his disciples. Jesus also gives his followers a gift of peace, a peace that the world cannot give. This peace is rooted in the knowledge that Jesus is returning to the Father, and one day his disciples will join him in eternal glory. Jesus' words emphasize the need to trust in God's plan and to live in love and obedience to his teachings. These readings are connected by the theme of unity and the presence of God. The decision in Acts 15 reflects the early Church's effort to maintain unity among believers from different backgrounds, guided by the Holy Spirit. Revelation 21 offers a glimpse of the ultimate unity and harmony that God promises in the heavenly city. John 14 emphasizes the importance of love and obedience as the foundation for unity and peace. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is rooted in God's love and that we are called to live in harmony with one another as we await the fulfillment of God's promises. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace diversity and work toward unity, just as the early Church did. They remind us to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to live in accordance with God's will. Just as Jesus gave his disciples a gift of peace, we too can experience that peace when we keep his word and live in love. Let us strive to be instruments of unity and harmony in our communities, reflecting the love and light of God to a world in need of his presence.