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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 4, 2020

Scripture: Amos 9:11-15 Matthew 9:14-17 Reflection: Pandemics & Possibilities: Thinking Outside the Box It’s July 4th:  For citizens of the U.S.A., a time to both reflect on and celebrate the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 3, 2020

Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22 John 20:24-29 Reflection: The Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle – Some questions to take to prayer. Does God actively pursue » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 2, 2020

Scripture: Amos 7:10-17 Matthew 9:1-8 Reflection: The themes of ‘crossing over’, coming to one’s ‘hometown’ and ‘paralysis and healing’ resonate throughout our gospel text. We might reflect a little more » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 1, 2020

Scripture: Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 Matthew 8:28-34 Reflection: The temple in Jerusalem was considered the most sacred place in the world by the people of Israel.  Jesus himself frequented the temple » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 30, 2020

Scripture: Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12 Matthew 8:23-27 Reflection: In today’s gospel, the apostles were in a boat when a storm kicked up on the lake.   They were terrified.  They woke up Jesus and » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 29, 2020

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Scripture: Acts 12:1-11 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16:13-19 Reflection: Today we celebrate two great men of the Church, Saints Peter and Paul. Two » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 28, 2020

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42 Reflection: Our black brothers and sisters have a favorite statement of praise that you will hear often during their church » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 27, 2020

Scripture: Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19 Matthew 8:5-17 Reflection: Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 26, 2020

Scripture: 2 Kings 25:1-12 Matthew 8:1-4 Reflection: Chapter 8 of the Gospel of Matthew contains a marvelous array of healing stories that tie to discipleship. Today’s story of the healing » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, June 25, 2020

Scripture: 2 Kings 24:8-17 Matthew 7:21-29 Reflection: What does a strong faith foundation look like?  Is your faith rock solid as a house built on rock, able to endure whatever » Continue Reading.

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