THURSDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK OF EASTER (CYCLE C, White)
Reading 1 (ACTS 15:7-21)
A reading from 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.”
– The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm (PSALM 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 10)
R.(3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia (JOHN 10:27)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel (JOHN 15:9-11)
A reading from the Holy 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.”
– The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: In the Gospel (John 15:9-11), Jesus continues his discourse about the Vine and the Branches. After telling them to be united to him, he instructs them to remain in his love, and to remain in his love is to obey the commandments. This is how he eases their pain and sadness before he departs back to God the Father. Yes, Christ taught us to remain in his love. If we truly love him, then we must keep his commandments and follow his teachings. And to do those things is to obey the commandments of the Father. God loves his Son to show that he loves us, and Jesus loves us, so we should also love the Lord and our neighbor, which is the summary of the Decalogue. As the famous line in Les Miserables goes: “To love another person is to see the face of God.” So as we journey down this Easter road, let us manifest the law and virtue of love everyday in our minds and hearts.
Bearers of the Cross 