THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER - Jn 15:9-11 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 15:7-21

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

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 15:9-11

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 - Jn 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 calls all of His children to live in the relationship of Father-child love with God the Father, through Jesus Christ. How happy people are to call God Father! God does not want any of His children to fall into Satan's trap, to fall into their arms. A loving Father always wants His children to be happy with their Father. If the Father is happy, the child must also be happy with God the Father. When a child suffers, God the Father also suffers.

Because of His love for humanity, He always cares for His children every moment. His teachings are a shining light, showing the way for His children to walk. He earnestly calls everyone to walk on God's path, which is to follow His teachings, which is to live the commandments that Jesus Christ taught when He humbled Himself to become a human being to accompany and be with humanity.

.There is no love greater than God's love. All mankind are children of God. He calls everyone to return to living the word "love" so we will enjoy complete joy, happiness, and eternal peace with God the Father.

Thanks be to God. Amen.