Daily Readings - Tue May 14 2019
Acts
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
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of community, unity, and the call to love as Jesus has loved us. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community gathered together, addressing the need to replace Judas among the Twelve Apostles. Peter emphasizes that the Scriptures must be fulfilled, and the community prayerfully selects Matthias through a process of discernment and trust in God’s will. This passage highlights the importance of maintaining unity and continuity in the face of loss or division, as well as the reliance on prayer and the Holy Spirit in making decisions.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the profound love He shares with them, a love that mirrors the love the Father has for Him. He calls them to abide in this love by keeping His commandments, particularly the commandment to love one another. Jesus elevates the relationship with His disciples from one of master and servant to that of friends, sharing with them the Father’s plan and entrusting them with a mission to bear lasting fruit. This passage reminds us that our identity as followers of Christ is rooted in love—both receiving God’s love and sharing it with others.
These readings are deeply connected. The early Church in Acts models the kind of love and unity that Jesus speaks about in the Gospel. Just as the disciples came together to restore their community after Judas’ betrayal, we too are called to live in a way that reflects Christ’s love, even in the face of challenges or divisions. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith is not just about individual devotion but about building up the Body of Christ through love, unity, and a shared mission. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: How am I contributing to the unity of my community? How am I sharing the love of Christ with those around me? May we, like Matthias, be chosen and called by God to bear fruit that lasts, and may we, like the early Church, trust in God’s guidance as we strive to live out the love of Christ.