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The Love that Compels

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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, May 23, 2025

Scripture:

Acts 15:22-31
John 15:12-17

Reflection:

In our first reading from Acts, we have the outcome from the meeting held in Jerusalem around the question whether Gentiles who had converted to Christianity had to become circumcised according to the Mosaic law observed by Jews. The apostles and elders discerned that the Gentile Christians did not have to be circumcised. In other words, the Gentile Christians did not have to be like Jews in order to be Christian

This account of a dispute in the early Church reminds us that conflicts can occur. And what is necessary to resolve such conflicts or debates is what we hear Jesus say at the beginning of our Gospel reading: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” 

We are called to love as Jesus loves, and we have an indication of what that means: “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 don’t see doing what Jesus commands us to do as a condition for Jesus to love us. I believe Jesus loves us no matter what. I see it more as saying, “This is what you need if you truly love me and want to be in a relationship with me: do what I command you to do.” 

Jesus also says: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” We are called to go and bear fruit, not spend time passing judgments on others. However, we may resolve the disputes and conflicts that come up, even within the church, we are called to resolve them in love.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Daily Scripture, July 31, 2020

Scripture: Jeremiah 26:1-9 Matthew 13:54-58 Reflection: Happy Friday in the 17th Week of Ordinary Time! The Gospel today (Matthew 13:54-58) tells of Jesus in his own hometown.  The people said, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 30, 2020

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6 Matthew 13:47-53 Reflection: “Like clay in the hand of a potter, so are you in my hand…” When we think of a potter, we imagine an artist, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 29, 2020

Feast of Saint Martha Scripture:  1 John 4:7–16 Luke 10:38–42 Reflection: “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.”  –1 John 4:16 Growing » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 27, 2020

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:1-11 Matthew 13:31-35 Reflection: The smallest things can produce the biggest outcomes – today’s gospel shares the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. Both small, seemingly » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 26, 2020

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52 Reflection: Who doesn’t admire King Solomon whom we hear about in today’s first reading? We all know his cunning wisdom about » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 24, 2020

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:14-17 Matthew 13:18-23 Reflection: Understanding the Word “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 23, 2020

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8 12-13 Matthew 13:10-17 Reflection: In our Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus answers the disciples’ question: “Why do you speak to them in parables?” His reply, quoting » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 22, 2020

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene Scripture: Song of Songs 3:1-4b or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 John 20:1-2, 11-18 Reflection: When I think about the liturgical readings for the day, I imagine » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 21, 2020

Scripture: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Matthew 12: 46-50 Reflection: “And pointing to his disciples, he said, here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 19, 2020

Scripture Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43 Reflection: And the one who searches hearts knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the holy ones » Continue Reading.

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