Daily Readings - Mon May 14 2018

¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,¹⁶"Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.¹⁷For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."²⁰"For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it';and "'Let another take his office.'²¹So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,²²beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."²³And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.²⁴And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen²⁵to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."²⁶And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

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.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 moments of transition and profound teachings in the early Christian community. The first reading from Acts recounts the selection of Matthias to replace Judas, completing the circle of the Twelve Apostles. This passage highlights the disciples' commitment to unity and continuity, guided by prayer and trust in God’s will. The second reading from John’s Gospel presents Jesus’ heartfelt words to His disciples, emphasizing the command to love one another as He has loved them. Jesus redefines their relationship, calling them friends rather than servants, and commissions them to bear lasting fruit through their love and obedience. The context of these readings is pivotal. In Acts, the early church is in its infancy, grappling with the loss of Judas and the need to maintain the integrity of the apostolic mission. The selection of Matthias underscores the community’s reliance on prayer and their understanding of God’s providence. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, reassuring them of their new status as friends and entrusting them with the mission to love and bear fruit. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is rooted in community, friendship, and the transformative power of love. These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Just as the early disciples trusted in God’s plan and chose Matthias, we too can face decisions with prayer and confidence in divine guidance. Jesus’ call to love one another challenges us to go beyond superficial relationships and to live with the depth and selflessness that He modeled. In a world often marked by division and isolation, these readings remind us that we are called to be a community of friends, united in love and dedicated to bearing fruit that endures. Let us strive to live out this vocation with joy, fidelity, and the courage to love as Christ has loved us.