THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 15:9-11) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” (Jn 15:9) 

FIRST READING - Acts 15:7-21

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

After much debate had taken place,

Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,

"My brothers, you are well aware that from early days

God made his choice among you that through my mouth

the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.

And God, who knows the heart,

bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit

just as he did us.

He made no distinction between us and them,

for by faith he purified their hearts.

Why, then, are you now putting God to the test

by placing on the shoulders of the disciples

a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

On the contrary, we believe that we are saved

through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they."

The whole assembly fell silent,

and they listened

while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders

God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded,

"My brothers, listen to me.

Symeon has described how God first concerned himself

with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.

The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

After this I shall return

and rebuild the fallen hut of David;

from its ruins I shall rebuild it

and raise it up again,

so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,

even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.

Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,

known from of old.

It is my judgment, therefore,

that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,

but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,

unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.

For Moses, for generations now,

has had those who proclaim him in every town,

as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath."

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Jn 15:9-11

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."

THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 15:9-11)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Jesus said to His disciples and to all His children:

"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."

God invites all His children to live in a relationship of Father-child love with God the Father, through Jesus Christ. How joyful it is for people to call God their Father! God does not want any of His children to fall into Satan’s trap or into their arms. A merciful Father always desires His children to be happy with Him. When the Father is happy, the children should also be happy with God the Father. When the children suffer, God the Father also suffers.

Because of His love for humanity, He constantly watches over His children. His teachings are the light that shines, guiding His children on the right path. He earnestly invites all people to walk in His ways—that is, to follow His teachings and to live according to the commandments that Jesus Christ taught when He humbled Himself to become a human being, to accompany and be with us.

There is no greater love than the love of God. All people are children of God. He invites everyone to return to a life of love—and in doing so, they will experience complete joy, true happiness, and eternal peace with God the Father.

Thanks be to God. Amen.