Daily Readings - Thu May 18 2017

⁷And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.⁸And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,⁹and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.¹⁰Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?¹¹But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."¹²And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.¹³After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me.¹⁴Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.¹⁵And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,¹⁶"'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,¹⁷that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things¹⁸known from of old.'¹⁹Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,²⁰but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.²¹For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues."

John

Chapter 15

⁹As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.¹¹These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

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.