Fifth Week of Easter
11th May 2023 (Thursday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: ACTS 15.7-21
7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant[a] of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10
R/. Tell among all the peoples the wonders of the Lord Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : JOHN 15. 9-11
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: All for joy and out of love!
Indicative: God is a God of love. He knows the heart. He makes no distinction between the chosen people and the Gentiles. He saves all those who repent and turn to it{alertSuccess}
1. Remain in my love. And you will be joyful to the full. This is the imperative and also the effect of a disciple’s life. If we remain in his love, then we will experience joy in its completeness.
2. This indicates a couple of things: our joy is not complete. Secondly, it is only the Lord who can give complete joy. Specifically it is only by abiding in his love, we can obtain complete joy
3. Now it is only by keeping his commandments that we remain in his love. This loving has its model in the love between the Father and the Son. This is not merely a sentimental but sacrificial love.
4. Jesus loves his disciples just as the Father loves him. He remains in the love for the Father by keeping his commandments. Now, the Father loves the Son so much. That is why He entrusts the greatest responsibility of salvation to His Son and sacrifices His Son for that sake. Such is the Father’s love. Jesus too does the will of the Father and sacrifices his very life. Such is the love of the Son.
5. Therefore the disciples are called to follow the same love in sacrifice and altruism. The Council of Jerusalem transcends the cultural barrier of circumcision. Thereby they decide that circumcision is only a matter pertinent to religion and tradition, and not a matter of faith and spirituality. This is a clear sign of love for God, His people and the mission of salvation.
Imperative: If we love the Lord, we must keep his commandments. And our love must be like the love of the Father and the Son. This is marked by sacrifice and benevolence{alertSuccess}