Daily Readings - Fri May 04 2018
Acts
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,23with the following letter: "The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.24Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,25it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.31And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
John
12"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.14You are my friends if you do what I command you.15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.17These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through two significant moments in the life of the early Christian Church and the teachings of Jesus. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders gathered to address whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish law. They decided to ease the burden on these new believers, focusing instead on a few essential practices to promote unity and inclusion. This decision was a pivotal moment in the Church’s growth, allowing the Gospel to spread beyond Jewish communities.
The Gospel reading, John 15:12-17, is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. Here, Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, emphasizing that the greatest love is laying down one’s life for friends. He refers to His disciples as friends, sharing all He has heard from the Father, and commissions them to bear lasting fruit. This passage underscores the depth of Jesus’ love and the transformative power of that love in the lives of His followers.
These readings are deeply connected through the theme of unity and love. The decision in Acts reflects Jesus’ commandment to love, as the early Church leaders chose to include Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens, demonstrating love and understanding. This unity was not about uniformity but about a shared commitment to follow Christ.
In our daily lives, we are called to embody this love and unity. We can apply these teachings by embracing diversity and including others, just as the early Church did. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or families, we can choose to love unconditionally, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued. This love is not passive but active, requiring us to go beyond our comfort zones to include others, just as Jesus did.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our faith is not just about rules but about relationships. The moral lesson is clear: unity and love are at the heart of our Christian calling. Let us strive to live out this love, bearing fruit that lasts, and building a world where everyone experiences the inclusive and transformative power of God’s love.