Daily Readings - Thu May 22 2025
Acts
7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."12The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.13When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me.14Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.15The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:16"'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,17that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'18that have been known for ages.19"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.20Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.21For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the unity and inclusivity of God’s love, as well as the joy that comes from living in accordance with His will. In the first reading from Acts, we witness a pivotal moment in the early Church: the Council of Jerusalem. The apostles and elders gather to debate whether Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law in order to be saved. Peter reminds the assembly that God has already shown His acceptance of the Gentiles by pouring out the Holy Spirit upon them, just as He did on the Jews. James then references the prophets to confirm that God’s plan has always included the Gentiles, and the council concludes that they should not impose unnecessary burdens on the new converts. This passage highlights the Church’s early struggle to balance tradition with the expansive nature of God’s grace.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the joy of abiding in His love. He emphasizes that keeping His commandments is not a burden but a way to remain in the love of the Father. Just as Jesus Himself keeps the Father’s commandments and finds joy in doing so, we too can experience this joy when we live in harmony with God’s will. This teaching reminds us that love and obedience are not opposed to freedom but are the very foundation of a life filled with purpose and happiness.
These readings are deeply connected. The Council of Jerusalem shows the practical application of Jesus’ teaching on love and unity. By embracing Gentiles without imposing unnecessary restrictions, the early Church demonstrated that God’s love transcends human divisions. In our own lives, we are called to do the same: to love without conditions and to live in a way that reflects the unity and joy that come from following Christ. Let us ask ourselves today: Are there ways in which we might be excluding others or placing unnecessary burdens on them? How can we, like the early Church, allow God’s love to expand our hearts and minds? By living in accordance with God’s will and embracing His love, we can experience the joy that Jesus promises—a joy that overflows into every aspect of our lives.