“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."
(John 15:9-10)
Love is not just about feelings, but also about actions. True joy comes from abiding in God’s love and living according to His commandments. As Jesus is loved by the Father, so He loves us. We are called to remain in this love, reflecting it in our relationships with others. Jesus shares these words so that His joy may be in us and our joy may be complete.
9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 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. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11)
In the realm where feelings and actions intertwine, there lies a love, divine and benign. Not just a feeling, fleeting and brief, but actions of love, bring us relief. True joy springs from this love so deep, in God's commands, we are to keep. Abiding in love, a joyous ride, in His commandments, we confide. As the Father loves the Son, so pure, so does Jesus, with a love so sure. We're called to dwell in this love so vast, a love from the beginning, to the last. Reflecting this love in our relations, bridging hearts, across the nations. Jesus shares these words, a joyous feat, that His joy in us, may be complete.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging that love is not just about feelings, but also about actions. We understand that true joy comes from abiding in Your love and living according to Your commandments. As Jesus is loved by You, so He loves us. We are called to remain in this love, reflecting it in our relationships with others. Help us, Lord, to live out this love in our daily lives, to show kindness and compassion to those around us. Jesus shares these words so that His joy may be in us and our joy may be complete. We pray for this joy, Lord, a joy that is complete and everlasting. Fill us with Your love and joy, and guide us in our actions. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The gospel is for everyone, regardless of cultural or ethnic background. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and not through adherence to religious customs or laws. We should resolve any disagreements in a respectful and thoughtful manner, engage in open discussion, listened to different viewpoints, and sought guidance from the Holy Spirit. It is also important to give value in considering past experiences and precedents when making decisions. By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us exercise strong and wise leadership through challenging times.
7 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. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. 10 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? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” 12 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. 13 After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written: 16 After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, 17 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, 18 known from of old. 19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. 21 For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.” (Acts 15:7-21)
In every corner, under every mound, the gospel's echo, a universal sound. No walls of culture, no ethnic bounds, in Christ's love, humanity is found. Not by customs, nor laws we're tied, but through faith in Christ, we confide. Salvation's gift, so freely supplied, in His grace, we do abide. When disagreements rise, and tempers flare, let respect and thoughtfulness be our care. Engage in discourse, be fair and square, seek the Spirit's guidance in every prayer. In decision's hour, let wisdom preside, consider the past, let experience guide. Precedents valued, no truth to hide, in thoughtful judgment, we confide. Through times of challenge, through times of strife, by the Spirit's power, we live our life. Strong and wise leadership, sharp as a knife, guiding us through, in peace and rife.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging that the gospel is for everyone, regardless of cultural or ethnic background. We thank You for the salvation that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and not through adherence to religious customs or laws. When disagreements arise, guide us to resolve them in a respectful and thoughtful manner. Help us to engage in open discussion, listen to different viewpoints, and seek Your guidance through the Holy Spirit. As we make decisions, remind us of the importance of considering past experiences and precedents. By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us exercise strong and wise leadership through challenging times. In all things, may Your will be done. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
God’s love and salvation are not limited to a specific people or nation; they are available to everyone. Despite the chaos and uncertainty in the world, God is in control. Our actions have consequences and we should have a sense of anticipation and accountability that God will ultimately judge righteously. Our relationship with God should be dynamic and evolving, not static or routine. Let us continually find fresh ways to express our praise and worship, share the good news of God’s salvation with others.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name. Announce his salvation, day after day. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 10 Say among the nations: the Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 10)
In every heart, in every nation, God's love and salvation find their station. Not bound by borders, nor by creation, His grace is our foundation. Despite the chaos, the world's rotation, God is in control, our firm foundation. In uncertainty and tribulation, His sovereignty is our consolation. Our actions echo across creation, consequences real, no mere illusion. God's righteous judgment, our destination, calls for anticipation and resolution. Our bond with God, no mere equation, dynamic, evolving, beyond limitation. Not static, not routine, but a relation, growing, changing, a divine narration. Let's find new ways, a fresh sensation, to express our praise, our adoration. Share the good news, the proclamation, of God's salvation, to every nation.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your boundless love and salvation. We acknowledge that these gifts are not limited to a specific people or nation; they are available to everyone, everywhere. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty in the world, we find comfort in knowing that You are in control. You are our rock and our fortress, our ever-present help in times of need. We understand that our actions have consequences, and we pray for the wisdom to make choices that honor You. We anticipate Your righteous judgment and hold ourselves accountable for our deeds. Help us to cultivate a dynamic and evolving relationship with You. May our faith not be static or routine, but vibrant and growing, reflecting the living God that You are. Inspire us to continually find fresh ways to express our praise and worship. Let our lives be a testament to Your goodness and grace. Finally, Lord, fill us with the courage to share the good news of Your salvation with others. May our words and actions draw others closer to You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
III: The Book of Glory
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
John 15:1-17
First Reading
IV: The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission
COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM
Acts 15:1-12
Responsorial Psalm
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
GOD OF THE UNIVERSE
Psalm 96:1-13
Reflection Source:
Copilot
