Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection May 22, 2025
Thursday – 5th Week of Easter
22nd May 2025 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 1
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 15:7-21
In those days: After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10 (R. 3)
R/. Tell among all the peoples the wonders of the Lord. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them and they follow me.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: John 15:9-11
At that time; Jesus said to his disciples,“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Thursday – 5th Week of Easter
Main Point: True spirituality is not mere knowledge or expertise about spiritual matters. It is always blended with spiritual tenacity and moral integrity
1. Unity must be the hallmark of Christianity and Christian followers. However, unity is not uniformity. In the name of unity and oneness, diversities and differences should not be crushed. The authorities and the members of the Church should maintain this delicate balance between unity and diversity.
2. This is what the early church did. They always respected the cultural variations. At the same time, they were very clear about the faith essentials. There was no compromise with regard to spiritual principles and moral integrity. They were always flexible with regard to cultural divergences.
3. When disagreement arose about cultural or legal matters like circumcision or Jewish laws, the apostles had the Jerusalem Council and resolved the issue. They were fully open to the direction of the Spirit. Their highest priority was fidelity to their master’s teaching and values and giving God’s grace and salvation to all.
4. They were not conditioned by petty human considerations like tribe or tradition or culture or chosen race. They were aware that God’s grace is open to all. They realise that they should facilitate others to come to faith and not put a heavy yoke on their neck. They realise that they would only put God to test by imposing unnecessary laws on the believers.
5. They had this clarity and conviction because they were filled with the wisdom of the Spirit. This in turn was possible because they abide in his love. They continue to abide in his love because they were faithful to keep his supreme commandment of fraternal love. That is why they remain fully joyful even despite all the opposition or dissension.
My Practice: There were no ego interests and ego conflicts in the early church. Even though they were great stalwarts, the apostles set aside their life-size images and gave priority only to God’s love and fraternal mission. How often do our self-images block God’s own image and reduce others to mere shadows?
