Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 23, 2019

First Reading: Acts 15.7-21

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."

Psalm 96

Psalms

Chapter 96

¹Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.²Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.³Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.⁴For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.⁵For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.⁶Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.⁷Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.⁸Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.⁹Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.¹⁰Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.¹¹Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it;¹²let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;¹³they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

Gospel: John 15.9-11

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 are reminded of the universal call to follow God’s will and to live in His love. The first reading from Acts describes a pivotal moment in the early Church, where the apostles and elders gather to discuss whether Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law to be fully part of the Christian community. Peter recalls how God had revealed to him that the Gospel was meant for all people, not just the Jews, and how the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles just as on the Jews. James then references the prophets to confirm that God’s plan has always included the Gentiles, and the assembly agrees that they should not impose unnecessary burdens on the converts, only asking them to avoid certain practices that could lead them away from God. This decision reflects the early Church’s growing understanding of its mission to all nations. The Gospel reading from John 15 emphasizes the central place of love in the Christian life. Jesus tells us that He has loved us as the Father has loved Him, and He calls us to remain in His love by keeping His commandments. This is not a burden, but a path to joy. Just as Jesus abides in the Father’s love by keeping His will, we are called to abide in Jesus’ love by living according to His teachings. This mutual relationship of love is the heart of the Christian life. These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in God’s universal love and His desire to draw all people to Himself. The early Church’s decision to welcome Gentiles without imposing unnecessary restrictions teaches us about the importance of unity and inclusivity. We are called to live in a way that reflects God’s love, avoiding anything that might create division or hinder others from coming to Him. At the same time, the Gospel reminds us that love is not just a feeling but a commitment to living according to God’s will. As we strive to follow Christ, we must ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects God’s universal love? Are we keeping His commandments and abiding in His love? Let us seek to live in unity and joy, rooted in the love that Jesus has shared with us.