Daily Scripture, May 23, 2025
Scripture:
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.
Scripture: Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 Matthew 12:1-8 Reflection: Some laws are meant to be broken—at least, that’s what Jesus thought. Today’s gospel from Matthew memorably illustrates that Jesus was no » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16 Matthew 11:25-27 Reflection: I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth… At first glance, this can be a confusing passage…hidden from wise; revealed » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-17 Matthew 10:34-11:1 Reflection: Today’s Gospel seems in stark contrast with some of Jesus’ other sayings in Scripture. What does he mean when he says, “I have come » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8 Matthew 10:24-33 Reflection: What does a 5th century hermit cave dweller and monk have to do with us in the 21st century? We might ask that same » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hosea 14:2-10 Matthew 10:16-23 Reflection: Many years ago, I was teaching at a religious conference with a friend. She came to me distraught and relayed that without warning a » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9 Matthew 10:7-15 Reflection: Missionaries Should Wear Diamond Rings Beginning yesterday we read for six days Matthew’s instruction on being a missionary. Jesus offers encouragement: “The gift » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12 Matthew 10:1-7 Reflection: The Kingdom of Heaven is the Law of Love There is a spiritual battle in this world, and it is all about the law » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13 Matthew 9:32-38 Reflection: Two events in the last week make me wonder what this life business really all about. The first I was working in the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Hosea 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22 Matthew 9:18-26 Reflection: Today’s Gospel jars me from the temptation to accept a private, Jesus-and-Me spirituality. At first reading, this section of Matthew’s Gospel appears » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-10 Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30 Reflection: See, your king shall come to you… riding on a donkey. –Zechariah 9:9 For my yoke is easy, and my burden » Continue Reading.