Daily Readings - Fri May 14 2021

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

In today's readings, we witness the early church's response to the vacancy left by Judas, as described in Acts. Peter leads the community in prayer, seeking God's guidance to choose a worthy replacement. This moment highlights the importance of unity and discernment, as they rely on prayer and trust in God's will through the casting of lots, leading to Matthias joining the apostles. This act underscores the community's commitment to maintaining the integrity and continuity of their mission, guided by faith and collaboration. In the Gospel, Jesus shares a profound message of love and friendship. He redefines the relationship between Himself and His disciples, elevating it from servitude to friendship. This transformation is rooted in mutual love and obedience, as Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them. The essence of this love is selflessness, exemplified by the greatest act of laying down one's life for others. Jesus also emphasizes that we are chosen by Him to bear lasting fruit, a metaphor for the transformative impact of living out His teachings. These readings intertwine the themes of community, prayerful decision-making, and selfless love. The early church's unity in selecting Matthias reflects their dedication to Jesus' teachings, particularly the commandment to love. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this love, whether in our personal relationships or community decisions. Let us embrace our role as chosen by God, responding with hearts full of love and service, bearing fruit that endures. May we, like the early church, trust in God's guidance and strive to live as true friends of Christ, spreading His love in all we do.