FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE - Gospel (John 15:9-17) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (Jn 15:13)

FIRST READING - Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters

(there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons

in the one place).

He said, “My brothers and sisters,

the Scripture had to be fulfilled

which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand

through the mouth of David, concerning Judas,

who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus.

Judas was numbered among us

and was allotted a share in this ministry.

For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

Let his encampment become desolate,

and may no one dwell in it.

and:

May another take his office.

Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men

who accompanied us the whole time

the Lord Jesus came and went among us,

beginning from the baptism of John

until the day on which he was taken up from us,

become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas,

who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.

Then they prayed,

“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,

show which one of these two you have chosen

to take the place in this apostolic ministry

from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”

Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,

and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Jn 15:9-17

From the Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples:

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,

just as I have kept my Father’s commandments

and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you

and your joy might be complete.

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I no longer call you slaves,

because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

I have called you friends,

because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you

and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,

so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.

This I command you: love one another.”

FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW. APOSTLE - Gospel (John 15:9-17)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

  Dear People of God,

Jesus said to His disciples:

“Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”

Jesus set a perfect example and invited His disciples to imitate Him—that is, to be faithful to God and obedient to God the Father's teachings:

• Sacrifice your life in love for others;

• Put aside selfish ego to bring love to humanity;

• Remain in God’s love so that He may strengthen you;

• Be united with Him, just as Jesus is united with God, becoming one with Him.

This unity gives us the power to overcome Satan and to regain love for souls. To find true happiness in God, the disciples must follow Jesus Christ's example of obedience to God the Father.

God Himself chooses and calls His disciples to follow Him. He chooses whomever He wills, and the vocation He gives to each person is unique. When God calls someone, He sends that person to bear fruit, namely, to bring souls to Him. To bear much fruit, one must conform to Christ; that is, to sacrifice one’s life for the salvation of souls, just as Christ offered His life unto death on the Cross, taking upon Himself the sins of humanity.

To bring God's love to souls, the disciples chosen by Him must walk the same path of sacrifice and love—the path of the Cross.

May we take up our crosses and follow Him.

Thanks be to God. Amen.