Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Memorial of St Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Churchr

LECTIONARY
288

FIRST READING

Acts 15:7-21

And 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

Response: Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.

GOSPEL

Jn 15:9-11

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 Reflection

Today’s first reading is a continuation of the meeting of the first Council of Jerusalem, convened to decide whether the Gentile converts need to observe the Mosaic Law and Jewish rituals.

It is particularly significant to note the arguments used by the disciples in their debate. There is the mystical experience of Peter, who recounts the story of his call to preach to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas describe the miracles, explaining how God had tangibly manifested His power through them, healing the Gentiles. James, in turn, offers evidence from Holy Scripture reminding the others how the prophets said that God would reveal Himself to the Gentiles.

The decision not to impose the law on Gentile converts was important because no longer would the Gospel remain the precious secret of a few, lucky enough to be born into the faith, but would be shared with everybody, everywhere!

Jesus, in today's Gospel, offers all His followers the joy of living in His love. All we have to do is keep God’s commandments.