Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 22, 2025
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 invite us to reflect on the unity and inclusivity of God’s love, as well as the joy that comes from living in accordance with His will. In the first reading from Acts, we witness a pivotal moment in the early Church: the Council of Jerusalem. The apostles and elders gather to debate whether Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law in order to be saved. Peter reminds the assembly that God has already shown His acceptance of the Gentiles by pouring out the Holy Spirit upon them, just as He did on the Jews. James then references the prophets to confirm that God’s plan has always included the Gentiles, and the council concludes that they should not impose unnecessary burdens on the new converts. This passage highlights the Church’s early struggle to balance tradition with the expansive nature of God’s grace.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the joy of abiding in His love. He emphasizes that keeping His commandments is not a burden but a way to remain in the love of the Father. Just as Jesus Himself keeps the Father’s commandments and finds joy in doing so, we too can experience this joy when we live in harmony with God’s will. This teaching reminds us that love and obedience are not opposed to freedom but are the very foundation of a life filled with purpose and happiness.
These readings are deeply connected. The Council of Jerusalem shows the practical application of Jesus’ teaching on love and unity. By embracing Gentiles without imposing unnecessary restrictions, the early Church demonstrated that God’s love transcends human divisions. In our own lives, we are called to do the same: to love without conditions and to live in a way that reflects the unity and joy that come from following Christ. Let us ask ourselves today: Are there ways in which we might be excluding others or placing unnecessary burdens on them? How can we, like the early Church, allow God’s love to expand our hearts and minds? By living in accordance with God’s will and embracing His love, we can experience the joy that Jesus promises—a joy that overflows into every aspect of our lives.