Daily Readings - Sun May 26 2019

¹But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."²And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.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."

Revelation

Chapter 21

¹⁰And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,¹¹having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.¹²It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed--¹³on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.¹⁴And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.²²And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.²³And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

John

Chapter 14

²³Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.²⁴Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.²⁵"These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.²⁶But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.²⁸You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.²⁹And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.

Sermon

Today’s readings guide us through a journey of faith, unity, and hope, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and our role within the community of believers. The first reading from Acts recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where early Church leaders resolved a significant issue—whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised to be saved. This decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, was pivotal, as it unified the Church and allowed Christianity to flourish beyond its Jewish roots. It underscores that salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not through rituals or works. The second reading from Revelation presents a vision of the New Jerusalem, a heavenly city where God dwells among His people. This city, with no need for a temple or external light, symbolizes the ultimate hope for believers—a place of eternal communion with God, free from suffering and sin. This vision inspires us to persevere, knowing our struggles are temporary and our future is secure in God’s presence. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes love and obedience, teaching that keeping His commandments is a sign of love. He promises the Holy Spirit, who will guide and remind us of His teachings, offering a peace that transcends worldly troubles. This peace is a gift that sustains us as we navigate life’s challenges. These readings interconnect by highlighting the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding the Church and each believer. The decision in Acts, the hope of Revelation, and Jesus’ promise in the Gospel all point to a life of faith and trust in God’s plan. They remind us to strive for unity, trust in the Holy Spirit, and live faithfully, keeping Jesus’ teachings in our hearts. Let us embrace this hope and unity, living with the peace that only Jesus can give, and trusting in the eternal life He promises.