Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Readings for Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter[i][ii]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: Acts 15:22-31
The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
"The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"
And so they were sent on their journey.
Upon their arrival in Antioch
they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 15:22-31
We have, in this passage the conclusion of the First Council of Jerusalem. St James, in conjunction with the rest of the Apostles, selects a delegation to return to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to tell the good news to the Gentile Christians that, with the exception of Mosaic dietary regulations, they are free to express the Christian faith without the need to adopt all of the religious regulations of Judaism. (Most especially - Circumcision is not required). This is important in scripture since it demonstrates the authority of the Apostles to define orthodoxy, authority that has been transmitted to their successors through Apostolic Succession.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 57:8-9, 10 and 12
R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12
Psalm 57 is a song of thanksgiving. In the Easter tradition, the psalmist gives thanks for God’s salvation and sings of God’s glory to all the nations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
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 no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 15:12-17
This selection is part of the discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of his departure. There is much made of the use of the difference in the Greek words for “love” used in this discourse. When Jesus says “No one has greater love than this…” the word agapao (intimate, selfless love) is used while when he says “You are my friends…” the word phileo (casual "friendly" (brotherly) type of love) is used. St. John uses the two words synonymously so the message is clear – reiterated at the end of the passage – “love one another.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Evan as St. Luke records the final decree from the First Council of Jerusalem and sends the delegation to continue its work among the gentiles, the Gospel of St. John tells us what St. Paul and the others must bring to those, soon to be evangelized, peoples. The evangelist gives us Christ’s words to his closest friends, explaining to them what it means to be a friend of God in Christ.
The invitation Jesus gives the disciples in this passage is more than a build up to his command to “love one another.” He explains the kind of relationship he has with them so they do not become so awed by his identity (God) that they some how feel like the menial servant. He tells them that they have been brought into the deepest and most intimate thoughts of God and given all the wisdom the Father offers. (“…I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.”)
Why is that distinction important? A slave, as the Gospel points out, only does what they are told. They have no free will; they cannot interpret the commands of their masters. They must do exactly what they are told regardless if they understand why or what their actions mean.
We illustrate this with a story. There was a large building being erected in a city. A person who worked in the area became curious, and since the sign did not say what the building was to be, he decided to ask a member of the construction crew. He went up to the first person he met and asked “What are you building?”
The man replied, “I’m building a wall.”
The passerby shook his head and said, “No, I mean what is this building going to be?”
The man said, “I don’t know. My blue print says I am to build this wall and that I am to use this number and type of bricks and it must be this long and this high.”
The questioner said his thanks and went to another member of the crew. He asked the same question – “What are you building?”
The answer this time was “I don’t know. I’m just installing the windows.”
He finally went to a third worker who was framing in the doors of the building and asked the question a third time – “What are you building?”
The third man looked back and stated proudly, “I’m building a Cathedral.”
Like the disciples, we are Jesus friends, and like them he has given us his Word and in it we receive all that we need to hear. He has allowed us to continue his work, not as slaves but as friends who are supposed to know his mind and act out of that knowledge. And how do we know if we have acted correctly, according to his will? If we love one another…
Pax
Readings for Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter[i][ii]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[iii]
Reading 1: Acts 15:22-31
The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
"The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"
And so they were sent on their journey.
Upon their arrival in Antioch
they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 15:22-31
We have, in this passage the conclusion of the First Council of Jerusalem. St James, in conjunction with the rest of the Apostles, selects a delegation to return to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to tell the good news to the Gentile Christians that, with the exception of Mosaic dietary regulations, they are free to express the Christian faith without the need to adopt all of the religious regulations of Judaism. (Most especially - Circumcision is not required). This is important in scripture since it demonstrates the authority of the Apostles to define orthodoxy, authority that has been transmitted to their successors through Apostolic Succession.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 57:8-9, 10 and 12
R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12
Psalm 57 is a song of thanksgiving. In the Easter tradition, the psalmist gives thanks for God’s salvation and sings of God’s glory to all the nations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
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 no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 15:12-17
This selection is part of the discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of his departure. There is much made of the use of the difference in the Greek words for “love” used in this discourse. When Jesus says “No one has greater love than this…” the word agapao (intimate, selfless love) is used while when he says “You are my friends…” the word phileo (casual "friendly" (brotherly) type of love) is used. St. John uses the two words synonymously so the message is clear – reiterated at the end of the passage – “love one another.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Evan as St. Luke records the final decree from the First Council of Jerusalem and sends the delegation to continue its work among the gentiles, the Gospel of St. John tells us what St. Paul and the others must bring to those, soon to be evangelized, peoples. The evangelist gives us Christ’s words to his closest friends, explaining to them what it means to be a friend of God in Christ.
The invitation Jesus gives the disciples in this passage is more than a build up to his command to “love one another.” He explains the kind of relationship he has with them so they do not become so awed by his identity (God) that they some how feel like the menial servant. He tells them that they have been brought into the deepest and most intimate thoughts of God and given all the wisdom the Father offers. (“…I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.”)
Why is that distinction important? A slave, as the Gospel points out, only does what they are told. They have no free will; they cannot interpret the commands of their masters. They must do exactly what they are told regardless if they understand why or what their actions mean.
We illustrate this with a story. There was a large building being erected in a city. A person who worked in the area became curious, and since the sign did not say what the building was to be, he decided to ask a member of the construction crew. He went up to the first person he met and asked “What are you building?”
The man replied, “I’m building a wall.”
The passerby shook his head and said, “No, I mean what is this building going to be?”
The man said, “I don’t know. My blue print says I am to build this wall and that I am to use this number and type of bricks and it must be this long and this high.”
The questioner said his thanks and went to another member of the crew. He asked the same question – “What are you building?”
The answer this time was “I don’t know. I’m just installing the windows.”
He finally went to a third worker who was framing in the doors of the building and asked the question a third time – “What are you building?”
The third man looked back and stated proudly, “I’m building a Cathedral.”
Like the disciples, we are Jesus friends, and like them he has given us his Word and in it we receive all that we need to hear. He has allowed us to continue his work, not as slaves but as friends who are supposed to know his mind and act out of that knowledge. And how do we know if we have acted correctly, according to his will? If we love one another…
Pax
[i] ALTRE
[ii] The picture used is “God Inviting Christ to Sit on the Throne at His Right Hand” by Pieter de Grebber, 1645
[iii] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only..
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