Daily Readings - Thu May 18 2017

⁷After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.⁸God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.¹⁰Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?¹¹No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."¹²The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.¹³When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me.¹⁴Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.¹⁵The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:¹⁶"'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,¹⁷that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'¹⁸that have been known for ages.¹⁹"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.²⁰Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.²¹For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."

John

Chapter 15

⁹"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.¹⁰If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through two pivotal moments in the history of our faith. The first reading from Acts 15:7-21 recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the early Church grappled with whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish traditions like circumcision. Peter's impassioned speech and James' wise conclusion emphasized God's universal love, leading to a decision that welcomed Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens. This moment was crucial as it set the course for Christianity to spread beyond its Jewish roots, embracing a diverse and inclusive community. The Gospel reading from John 15:9-11 shifts our focus to Jesus' words about abiding in His love. He teaches that just as He keeps His Father's commandments, we must do the same to remain in His love. This mutual bond of love and obedience is the essence of our relationship with God, promising joy and fulfillment. These readings intertwine beautifully, both highlighting the themes of love and unity. The Council's decision was an act of love, recognizing God's plan for all people. Similarly, Jesus' commandment to love is not just a rule but an invitation to a deeper, joyful relationship with Him. Together, they remind us that our faith is both inclusive and transformative. In our daily lives, these teachings call us to embrace diversity and unity within our communities. Just as the early Church navigated differences to find common ground, we too can build bridges of understanding and love. By keeping Jesus' commandments, we not only abide in His love but also become vessels of that love in the world. Let us strive to be instruments of God's love, fostering unity and joy in all we do.