Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 19, 2022
First Reading: Acts 15.7-21
7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Psalm 96
1O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.2Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.10Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.12Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice13Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Gospel: John 15.9-11
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the heart of God’s love and the unity that comes from faith. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Church grappling with a pivotal question: whether Gentiles must follow Jewish law to be part of the Christian community. Peter’s bold declaration that God has purified the hearts of Gentiles by faith, and James’ wise conclusion that they should not be burdened by unnecessary rules, reveal God’s desire to include all people in His plan of salvation. This moment in Acts shows us that the Gospel is universal, and that faith in Jesus Christ is what truly unites us.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the love He shares with the Father and how He has passed that love on to us. He tells us to remain in His love by keeping His commandments, just as He keeps the Father’s. This is not about following rules out of obligation, but about living in the joy and freedom that come from being rooted in God’s love. Jesus’ words remind us that love is the foundation of our relationship with Him and with one another.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out God’s love in our daily lives. Just as the early Church learned to embrace Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens, we too are called to welcome others with open hearts, trusting in God’s grace. Let us ask ourselves: Are we sharing the love of Christ in a way that unites people, or are we creating divisions? May we abide in God’s love, as Jesus taught, and may that love overflow into the world around us, bringing joy and unity to all we meet.