Daily Readings - Thu May 14 2020

¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)¹⁶and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus--¹⁷he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."²⁰"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, "'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, "'May another take his place of leadership.'²¹Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,²²beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."²³So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.²⁴Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen²⁵to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs."²⁶Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

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.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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of community, leadership, and the transformative power of love. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Church addressing a crisis—the betrayal of Judas—and taking steps to restore unity and continuity. Peter leads the disciples in prayer, seeking God’s guidance to choose a worthy successor. This moment highlights the importance of communal discernment and trust in God’s providence. The selection of Matthias reminds us that every member of the community has a role to play, and that even in times of loss, God provides a way forward. In the Gospel, Jesus deepens the understanding of His relationship with His disciples. He calls them friends, not servants, because He has shared with them everything He has received from the Father. This friendship is rooted in love—a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and life-giving. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us, a love that goes beyond mere affection or convenience. It is a love that is willing to lay down one’s life for others, just as He did for us. These readings challenge us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Are we building communities rooted in prayer and mutual support? Do we see ourselves as friends of Jesus, called to bear fruit that lasts? Let us strive to embody the love and unity that Jesus modeled for us. May we, like Matthias, be willing to step into our roles with humility and trust, and may we, like the disciples, embrace the joy and responsibility of being friends of Christ. In doing so, we will fulfill Jesus’ command to love one another and bring His light into a world that so desperately needs it.