Daily Readings - Fri May 24 2019
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 encounter profound lessons on unity and love. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 describes the Council of Jerusalem, where the early church leaders gathered to address the inclusion of Gentile converts. They decided to avoid imposing unnecessary burdens, focusing instead on a few key abstentions. This decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, exemplifies the church's commitment to unity and compassion, ensuring that all could join the faith without undue hardship.
The Gospel reading, John 15:12-17, shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on love and friendship. Jesus elevates His followers from servants to friends, emphasizing that true friendship is rooted in love and obedience to His commandments. He calls us to bear lasting fruit through our actions, promising that our prayers in His name will be heard. This passage underscores the transformative power of love and the deep bond we share with Christ.
Connecting these readings, we see a common theme of unity and love. The early church's decision in Acts models how love leads to inclusive decisions, while John's Gospel shows how Jesus' love defines our identity and mission. In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to foster unity amidst diversity and to act with love, reflecting Christ's example. The moral lesson is clear: our actions should be guided by love, maintaining unity and embodying the compassion of Christ in all we do. Let us strive to live out this love, just as the early church and Jesus have shown us.