Daily Readings - Fri May 24 2019
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 encounter profound lessons on unity and love. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 describes the Council of Jerusalem, where the early church leaders gathered to address the inclusion of Gentile converts. They decided to avoid imposing unnecessary burdens, focusing instead on a few key abstentions. This decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, exemplifies the church's commitment to unity and compassion, ensuring that all could join the faith without undue hardship.
The Gospel reading, John 15:12-17, shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on love and friendship. Jesus elevates His followers from servants to friends, emphasizing that true friendship is rooted in love and obedience to His commandments. He calls us to bear lasting fruit through our actions, promising that our prayers in His name will be heard. This passage underscores the transformative power of love and the deep bond we share with Christ.
Connecting these readings, we see a common theme of unity and love. The early church's decision in Acts models how love leads to inclusive decisions, while John's Gospel shows how Jesus' love defines our identity and mission. In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to foster unity amidst diversity and to act with love, reflecting Christ's example. The moral lesson is clear: our actions should be guided by love, maintaining unity and embodying the compassion of Christ in all we do. Let us strive to live out this love, just as the early church and Jesus have shown us.