Daily Readings - Fri May 04 2018
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.
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
In today’s readings, we journey through two significant moments in the life of the early Christian Church and the teachings of Jesus. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders gathered to address whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish law. They decided to ease the burden on these new believers, focusing instead on a few essential practices to promote unity and inclusion. This decision was a pivotal moment in the Church’s growth, allowing the Gospel to spread beyond Jewish communities.
The Gospel reading, John 15:12-17, is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. Here, Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, emphasizing that the greatest love is laying down one’s life for friends. He refers to His disciples as friends, sharing all He has heard from the Father, and commissions them to bear lasting fruit. This passage underscores the depth of Jesus’ love and the transformative power of that love in the lives of His followers.
These readings are deeply connected through the theme of unity and love. The decision in Acts reflects Jesus’ commandment to love, as the early Church leaders chose to include Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens, demonstrating love and understanding. This unity was not about uniformity but about a shared commitment to follow Christ.
In our daily lives, we are called to embody this love and unity. We can apply these teachings by embracing diversity and including others, just as the early Church did. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or families, we can choose to love unconditionally, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued. This love is not passive but active, requiring us to go beyond our comfort zones to include others, just as Jesus did.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our faith is not just about rules but about relationships. The moral lesson is clear: unity and love are at the heart of our Christian calling. Let us strive to live out this love, bearing fruit that lasts, and building a world where everyone experiences the inclusive and transformative power of God’s love.