Daily Readings - Wed May 14 2025

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

**Sermon: Unity and Love in Action** In today's readings, we reflect on the early Christian community and Jesus' teachings on love and friendship. The Acts of the Apostles recounts the selection of Matthias to replace Judas, demonstrating the church's commitment to unity and divine guidance. The apostles, led by Peter, prayed together, seeking God's will in their decision. This moment shows their reliance on prayer and their dedication to maintaining the integrity of their group, ensuring continuity in their mission. The Gospel from John emphasizes Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us. Jesus refers to His disciples as friends, not servants, because He has shared all He knows with them. This friendship is rooted in mutual love and self-sacrifice, as He laid down His life for them. The call to bear lasting fruit through their actions underscores the active nature of this love, which goes beyond words and is demonstrated in deeds. These readings connect in their emphasis on unity and love. The early church's unity in selecting Matthias mirrors the love and harmony Jesus taught. For us today, this means striving for unity in our communities, embracing our role as friends of Christ, and actively living out His teachings. We are called to bear fruit through loving actions, reflecting Jesus' love in our interactions and decisions. Let us draw inspiration from these examples to live in harmony and serve one another with the love Christ has shown us.