Daily Readings - Fri May 19 2017
First Reading - Acts 15.22-31
Acts
22Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
Gospel - John 15.12-17
John
12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.17These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of love and unity in the life of the Church. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community grappling with a significant challenge: how to welcome Gentiles into the fold without imposing unnecessary burdens. The Apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, make a decision that balances compassion and clarity, ensuring that the young Church remains united and free to grow. This moment in Acts reminds us that the Church is not just an institution but a family bound together by love and mutual respect.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes this idea a step further. He calls His disciples not just followers, but friends—a profound shift in relationship. Jesus’ command to love one another is not just a moral instruction; it’s a way of life that flows from the heart of God. To love as Jesus loves means to lay down our lives for others, to listen, to serve, and to bear fruit that lasts. This kind of love is not optional; it’s the very essence of who we are as Christians.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: How can I be an instrument of unity and love in my own community? Am I willing to let go of my own preferences for the sake of others, as the early Church did? Do I see my neighbors, my family, and even my enemies as friends in the eyes of Christ? The readings today remind us that love is not just a feeling but a choice—a choice to act with compassion, humility, and generosity. May we, like the early Church, be guided by the Holy Spirit to live out this love in every moment, bearing fruit that will last for eternity.