How can we fully understand the loving nature of the Lord our God? Was it not enough that God Himself would come in the flesh, in the person of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ to save us from eternal death? How are we expected to grasp the idea of God identifying Himself as our friend? Not of being in a subservient relationship but one of equal standing? One in You as You are one in me? How is that even possible? Me a sinner with a whole lists of blots and blemishes, yet a friend of Jesus? Why would you choose me Lord to bear fruit? How is it you see the potential in me that I may not see in myself let alone others?The same kind of extraordinary love and friendship that comes from the Lord our God is portrayed in the acts of the Apostles. How guided my the Holy Spirit they were very concerned and took extra care in dealing with the new Christians of pagan birth. Church fathers and leaders extending a warm welcome and friendship and embracing the differences in culture while still guiding the flock to the way, the truth and the life to be found in Christ alone. This is our Church, this is our God, and with one voice we acclaim….What a friend we have in Jesus! Amen
First reading
Acts 15:22-31 ·
It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by us not to burden you beyond these essentialsThe apostles and elders decided to choose delegates to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; the whole church concurred with this. They chose Judas known as Barsabbas and Silas, both leading men in the brotherhood, and gave them this letter to take with them:
‘The apostles and elders, your brothers, send greetings to the brothers of pagan birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. We hear that some of our members have disturbed you with their demands and have unsettled your minds. They acted without any authority from us; and so we have decided unanimously to elect delegates and to send them to you with Barnabas and Paul, men we highly respect who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accordingly we are sending you Judas and Silas, who will confirm by word of mouth what we have written in this letter. It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials: you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols; from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from fornication. Avoid these, and you will do what is right. Farewell.’
The party left and went down to Antioch, where they summoned the whole community and delivered the letter. The community read it and were delighted with the encouragement it gave them.
Gospel
John 15:12-17
What I command you is to love one anotherJesus said to his disciples:‘This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you is to love one another.’
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