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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, May 14, 2020

Scripture: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 John 15:9-17 Reflection: For the past two months, we have born the challenge of renewing our sense of what Jesus’ call to remain in His Love » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 13, 2020

Scripture: Acts 15:1-6 John 15:1-8 Reflection: We are in the middle of the fifth week of Easter and our readings reflect that fact to us as we are still being » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 12, 2020

Scripture: Acts 14:19-28 John 14:27-31a Reflection: It has been over 50 days since we began to abide by the law to “stay at home” in order to save lives. Months » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 11, 2020

Scripture: Acts 14:5-18 John 14:21-26 Reflection: Many years ago, I had the privilege of serving as Deputy Mayor in charge of communications for then Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.  He » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 10, 2020

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12 Reflection: “Home” is a multi-faceted concept. We’ve spent inordinate amounts of time in our homes lately as we shelter in place to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 9, 2020

Scripture: Acts 13:44-52 John 17:7-14 Reflection: Satisfaction in time of Pandemic This is not a plea for emails or food, but after two weeks of quarantine in my room, I » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 8, 2020

Scripture: Acts 13: 26-33 John 14: 1-6 Reflection: Jump in the Car! Let’s go! Trust me! Faith requires us to go where we do not see the immediate result or » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 7, 2020

Scripture: Acts 13:13-25 John 13:16-20 Reflection: When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 6, 2020

Scripture: Acts 12:24-13:5a John 12:44-50 Reflection: Much of our energy is devoted to being accepted, gaining praise, fitting in. This is never more self-evident as when young teens interact. Being » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, May 5, 2020

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26 John 10:22-30 Reflection: Information. News. Stories. There’s a lot being said about how we hear what’s going on nowadays. Similarly, in our two readings today we find » Continue Reading.

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