Daily Readings - Fri May 04 2018
Acts
22Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers.23With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.24We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul--26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.30The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.31The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
John
12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.14You are my friends if you do what I command.15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.17This is my command: Love each other.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through two significant moments in the life of the early Christian Church and the teachings of Jesus. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders gathered to address whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish law. They decided to ease the burden on these new believers, focusing instead on a few essential practices to promote unity and inclusion. This decision was a pivotal moment in the Church’s growth, allowing the Gospel to spread beyond Jewish communities.
The Gospel reading, John 15:12-17, is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. Here, Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, emphasizing that the greatest love is laying down one’s life for friends. He refers to His disciples as friends, sharing all He has heard from the Father, and commissions them to bear lasting fruit. This passage underscores the depth of Jesus’ love and the transformative power of that love in the lives of His followers.
These readings are deeply connected through the theme of unity and love. The decision in Acts reflects Jesus’ commandment to love, as the early Church leaders chose to include Gentiles without imposing unnecessary burdens, demonstrating love and understanding. This unity was not about uniformity but about a shared commitment to follow Christ.
In our daily lives, we are called to embody this love and unity. We can apply these teachings by embracing diversity and including others, just as the early Church did. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or families, we can choose to love unconditionally, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued. This love is not passive but active, requiring us to go beyond our comfort zones to include others, just as Jesus did.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our faith is not just about rules but about relationships. The moral lesson is clear: unity and love are at the heart of our Christian calling. Let us strive to live out this love, bearing fruit that lasts, and building a world where everyone experiences the inclusive and transformative power of God’s love.