THURSDAY WEEK FIVE IN EASTER: REMAIN IN MY LOVE
First Reading Acts 15 :7-21
I rule that we do not make things more difficult for the pagans who turn to
God
After the discussion had gone on a long time, Peter stood up and addressed
the apostles and the elders.
‘My brothers,’ he said ‘you know perfectly well that in the early days God
made his choice among you: the pagans were to learn the Good News from me and
so become believers. In fact God, who can read everyone’s heart, showed his
approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us. God
made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by
faith. It would only provoke God’s anger now, surely, if you imposed on the
disciples the very burden that neither we nor our ancestors were strong enough
to support? Remember, we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are:
through the grace of the Lord Jesus.’ Lectures Readings
This silenced the entire assembly, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul
describing the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the pagans. When they had finished it was James who spoke. ‘My brothers,’ he said
‘listen to me. Simeon has described how God first arranged to enlist a people
for his name out of the pagans. This is entirely in harmony with the words of
the prophets, since the scriptures say:
After that I shall return and rebuild the fallen House of David; I shall
rebuild it from its ruins and restore it. Then the rest of mankind, all the pagans who are
consecrated to my name, will look for the Lord, says the Lord who made this
known so long ago.
‘I rule, then, that instead of making things more difficult for pagans who
turn to God, we send them a letter telling them merely to abstain from anything
polluted by idols, from fornication, from the meat of strangled animals and
from blood. For Moses has always had his preachers in every town, and is read
aloud in the synagogues every sabbath.’ Reflections
Responsorial Psalm: Proclaim the wonders of the Lord
among all the peoples
Gospel John 15:9-11 Remain in my
love
Jesus said
to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in
my love.
If you keep
my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s
commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy
may be in you and your joy
be complete.’
Heavenly Father. My God I thank you for waking me up this morning, Thank you for your goodness over me. Thank you Father for loving me. Loving Father you made no distiction in the out pour of your Holy Spirit. May I love all your creatures. Father Fill me with your Holy Spirit. May your Spirit abide in me always that I may obey the instructions of my Savior and Master Jesus Christ your Son "Remain in my love" that I may remain in His love as I love my fellow creatures.
Father give me a heart filled with consideration to accept everyone irrespective of their color, race, tribe, religion, customs and traditions for we are all your creatures. Father you are loving and compassionate guide and direct my actions. Come Holy Spirit come and instruct me. Abide with me.
Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Blessed Virgin Mary pray for me. Blessed Saint Joseph pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me. God's Holy Angels pray for me.
Pray the Holy Rosary: Ave Maria. Hail Mary. Hail Holy Queen. Our Lady Queen of Angels pray for us. Mother of Jesus Christ bring us to your Son.
Your Birthday Saint: Saint Ives, Priest. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today. Happy birthday to you.
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