Daily Readings - Fri May 24 2019
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 encounter profound lessons on unity and love. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 describes the Council of Jerusalem, where the early church leaders gathered to address the inclusion of Gentile converts. They decided to avoid imposing unnecessary burdens, focusing instead on a few key abstentions. This decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, exemplifies the church's commitment to unity and compassion, ensuring that all could join the faith without undue hardship.
The Gospel reading, John 15:12-17, shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on love and friendship. Jesus elevates His followers from servants to friends, emphasizing that true friendship is rooted in love and obedience to His commandments. He calls us to bear lasting fruit through our actions, promising that our prayers in His name will be heard. This passage underscores the transformative power of love and the deep bond we share with Christ.
Connecting these readings, we see a common theme of unity and love. The early church's decision in Acts models how love leads to inclusive decisions, while John's Gospel shows how Jesus' love defines our identity and mission. In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to foster unity amidst diversity and to act with love, reflecting Christ's example. The moral lesson is clear: our actions should be guided by love, maintaining unity and embodying the compassion of Christ in all we do. Let us strive to live out this love, just as the early church and Jesus have shown us.