Daily Scripture, May 19, 2022
Scripture:
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading, Jesus tells His disciples to “remain” in His love. There are other translations that use the word “abide,” and I favor that word because it implies for me resting in the assurance of God’s unconditional love. Part of remaining, or abiding in Jesus’ love is to share that love with others: “If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love.” We keep Jesus’ love in our hearts by responding to it in loving others.
We see this in our first reading from Acts, where the early Christians seek to resolve a conflict brought about by differing opinions on how the Gentiles should be brought into the Christian community, which we heard in yesterday’s reading. We see in the resolution of this conflict that there was no violence or force used upon others. Instead, the disciples who met were intent on discerning where the Holy Spirit was leading them. And after much debate and testimony from Paul and Barnabas and Peter and James, they discern not to require of the Gentiles that they be circumcised, i.e., become like Jews first. This is done in love, as Jesus commanded.
Another way to put this is to look at what Jesus says at the end of our Gospel reading: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.” Real, deep, joy is founded on the overwhelming love God has for us in Jesus Christ. But we can’t just hold onto that love for ourselves. The only way that joy is complete for us is to share it with others, so that they might experience the joy of knowing beyond any doubt how much God loves them.
Without any hesitation, we can abide; we can rest assured of the extent to which Jesus loves us. In that “blessed assurance,” may we extend that love and the joy it brings to others.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.
Scripture: Acts 5:34-42John 6:1-15 Reflection: Today we hear the story of Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes; a story which is found in all four Gospels. In this story » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:27-33John 3:31-36 Reflection: ‘We must obey God rather than men’! This is a profound statement of faith coming out of the mouths of Peter and the Apostles. The » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:17-26 John 3:16-21 Reflection: Oh, John 3:16 – one of my favorites. Our responsibility to our heavenly Father isn’t just about what we do in good works. It » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:32-37John 3:7b-15 Reflection: The resurrection really matters. It makes a difference. Life is different because it happened. We spend a lot of time during the Easter Season watching » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Mark Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5b-14 Mark 16:15-20 Reflection: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” ~Mark 16:15 What a wonderful charge. And » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:12-16Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19John 20:19-31 Reflection: Encountering Christ “The doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood in their midst, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:13-21 Mark 16:9-15 Reflection: As I was reflecting on the readings for today, I was struck by what Peter and John say to the Sanhedrin in our first » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:1-12John 21:1-14 Reflection: Lord, Your words today shame me. Peter and John were so strong and eloquent facing down the Sadducees in the temple and healing in » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 3:11-26Luke 24:13-35 Reflection: It’s really quite humorous. Peter addressing the crowd with such self-assurance, such self-confidence in today’s first reading… he’s almost condescending! Not long before this speech » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 3: 1-10Luke 24: 13-35 Reflection: On this third day after we have celebrated the great feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the scripture readings present us with two » Continue Reading.