Daily Readings - Fri May 07 2021

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

Chapter 15

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 reflect on the essence of unity and love within the Christian community. The first reading from Acts recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the early Church addressed the inclusion of Gentile converts, demonstrating a commitment to unity and compassion. The decision to send delegates with reassuring guidelines highlights the importance of maintaining harmony amidst diversity. The Gospel from John emphasizes Jesus' teachings on love and friendship, urging His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, and to bear lasting fruit through their actions. These readings, though from different contexts, share a common theme of unity and love. The Council of Jerusalem shows the Church's adaptability and focus on unity, while Jesus' Farewell Discourse underscores the transformative power of love. Together, they remind us that unity and love are not just ideals but actionable principles for Christian living. In our daily lives, we are called to embody these values. Whether resolving conflicts with compassion or reaching out to others with selfless love, we must foster unity and support one another. Just as the early Church and Jesus' disciples were chosen to bear fruit, we too are called to live out our faith in ways that reflect the unity and love that define our Christian identity.