Daily Readings - Fri May 20 2022
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
The readings today remind us of the power of unity and love in the life of the Church. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community grappling with how to welcome Gentile converts into the fold. The Apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, make a decision that avoids unnecessary burdens on the new believers while ensuring they can live in harmony with Jewish Christians. This moment in Acts shows us the importance of discernment and the need to balance tradition with the demands of spreading the Gospel to all people. It also highlights the Church’s commitment to unity, even in the face of disagreement and diversity.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes this idea of unity to a deeper level. He tells us that His commandment is to love one another as He has loved us. This love is not just a feeling but a choice—a choice to lay down our lives for others, just as Jesus did for us. Jesus calls us His friends, not servants, because He has shared everything the Father has revealed with us. This friendship is not passive; it is active and fruitful. Jesus appoints us to go out and bear fruit that will last, and this fruit is rooted in love. When we love one another, we reflect the love of Christ, and our actions become a witness to the world.
These readings remind us that our faith is not just about rules or rituals but about relationships. Just as the early Church worked to maintain unity while embracing diversity, we too must strive to love those around us, even when it is challenging. Jesus’ commandment to love is not optional; it is the heart of who we are as His disciples. Let us ask ourselves: How am I living out this commandment in my daily life? Am I bearing fruit that lasts by loving others as Christ has loved me? May we be guided by the Holy Spirit to live in unity and to love one another as Jesus has loved us.