Daily Readings - Fri May 15 2020
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 two profound lessons that guide us in living out our faith with unity and love. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the early Church leaders addressed the inclusion of Gentile converts. They decided not to impose circumcision, instead offering four guidelines to ensure harmony and moral living. This decision reflects the Church's commitment to unity and compassion, adapting to the needs of a diverse community while upholding essential teachings.
The Gospel from John 15:12-17 shifts our focus to Jesus' commandment to love one another as He has loved us. Here, Jesus elevates His followers from servants to friends, sharing His Father's will with them. This passage emphasizes the depth of God's love and our role as His friends, called to bear lasting fruit through love and unity.
Together, these readings teach us to embrace diversity and love selflessly. Just as the early Church navigated differences with grace, we too can overcome divisions by respecting others' backgrounds and showing compassion. The moral lesson is clear: unity and love are the cornerstones of our faith, enabling us to thrive as a community and reflect God's love in the world. Let us strive to embody this love, fostering harmony and understanding in all we do.