Daily Readings - Thu May 22 2025

⁷And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.⁸And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,⁹and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.¹⁰Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?¹¹But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."¹²And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.¹³After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me.¹⁴Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.¹⁵And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,¹⁶"'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,¹⁷that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things¹⁸known from of old.'¹⁹Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,²⁰but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.²¹For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues."

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.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the unity and inclusivity of God’s love, as well as the joy that comes from living in accordance with His will. In the first reading from Acts, we witness a pivotal moment in the early Church: the Council of Jerusalem. The apostles and elders gather to debate whether Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law in order to be saved. Peter reminds the assembly that God has already shown His acceptance of the Gentiles by pouring out the Holy Spirit upon them, just as He did on the Jews. James then references the prophets to confirm that God’s plan has always included the Gentiles, and the council concludes that they should not impose unnecessary burdens on the new converts. This passage highlights the Church’s early struggle to balance tradition with the expansive nature of God’s grace. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the joy of abiding in His love. He emphasizes that keeping His commandments is not a burden but a way to remain in the love of the Father. Just as Jesus Himself keeps the Father’s commandments and finds joy in doing so, we too can experience this joy when we live in harmony with God’s will. This teaching reminds us that love and obedience are not opposed to freedom but are the very foundation of a life filled with purpose and happiness. These readings are deeply connected. The Council of Jerusalem shows the practical application of Jesus’ teaching on love and unity. By embracing Gentiles without imposing unnecessary restrictions, the early Church demonstrated that God’s love transcends human divisions. In our own lives, we are called to do the same: to love without conditions and to live in a way that reflects the unity and joy that come from following Christ. Let us ask ourselves today: Are there ways in which we might be excluding others or placing unnecessary burdens on them? How can we, like the early Church, allow God’s love to expand our hearts and minds? By living in accordance with God’s will and embracing His love, we can experience the joy that Jesus promises—a joy that overflows into every aspect of our lives.