Friday in the fifth week of Easter

Invitation

May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation aims to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their heart
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day.

Consideration
The young Church, marked by divisions, rediscovers its unity: ‘The Holy Spirit and we, the apostles, have decided….’Today’s readings remind us that for Christ only one thing matters: that all may be one, that mutual love within the Church is the highest good. Therein lies the appeal of the faith, and of our proclamation. If we are to help one another find God, then one of the places where He is to be found is the community of the Church.

FIRST READING                        Acts 15, 22–31

The Holy Spirit and we have decided not to impose on you any burden beyond what is necessary.

From the Acts of the Apostles

In those days the apostles and the elders
together with the whole congregation
to choose some men from among them
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas:
Judas, surnamed Barsabbas,
and Silas, men of standing among the brothers,
and to send them with the following letter:
“The apostles and the elders send their brotherly greetings
to the brothers from among the Gentiles in Antioch,
Syria and Cilicia.
“Having heard that some of us
have caused you confusion through their words
and have unsettled your minds,
without having received any instructions from us,
we have unanimously decided
to select some men and send them to you,
accompanied by our dear Barnabas and Paul,
men who have devoted themselves entirely
to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“We have therefore sent Judas and Silas
who will also convey the same message in person.
“For the Holy Spirit and we have decided
not to impose on you any burden heavier than this one thing:
to abstain from food sacrificed to idols,
blood, things strangled
and from sexual immorality.
“If you keep these things in mind
you will do well.
“Farewell!”
After taking their leave, they travelled to Antioch.
There they called the congregation together
and handed over the letter.
They read it and were gladdened by its comforting message.

INTERLUDIUM                       Ps. 57(56), 8-9, 10-12

I will praise you, Lord, before all nations;
before all nations I will sing your praise.
or:Alleluia.

In you I trust, God, in you I trust,
I sing and play for You.
Awake, my spirit, arise, harp and lyre
and herald the dawn.

I will praise You, Lord, before all peoples,
before all nations I sing Your praise;
for your mercy is as vast as the heavens,
and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Show Yourself on high, O God, in majesty,
let your glory shine over the whole earth.

 

ALLELUIA                   Rom.  6, 9

Alleluia.
Christ, having risen from the dead once
dies no more;
death has no power over Him.
Alleluia.

 

GOSPEL                          John 15, 12-17

This is my commandment, that you love one another.

From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
“This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
“No one has greater love than this,
than 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 servants
for a servant does not know what his master is doing,
but I have called you friends
for I have made known to you everything I have heard from the Father.
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you,
and I have given you the task of going forth
and bear fruit that will last.
“Then the Father will give you
whatever you ask of Him in my name.
“This is my commandment,
that you love one another.”

________________________________________________________

Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCIS

On Care for Our Common Home

109. The technocratic paradigm tends to exercise its power
over the economy and politics. The economy is geared towards every
technological development with a view to profit, without paying attention
to any negative consequences for human beings. Money
is stifling the real economy. People have not learnt the lessons of the global financial
crisis, and people are very slow to learn the lessons regarding the deterioration of the
environment. In some circles, it is claimed that the current economy and technology
will solve all environmental problems, just as it is claimed that
the world’s problems of hunger and poverty will simply
be solved by market growth. It is not a matter of
economic theories, which perhaps no one dares to defend today,
but rather the underlying assumption of the actual development of the
economy. Those who do not say so in so many words support it
in practice, when they appear not to care about an appropriate
level of production, a better distribution of wealth, responsible
care for the environment or the rights of future generations. By their
attitude, they confirm that the objective of maximising
profits is sufficient. However, the market alone does not guarantee comprehensive
human development and social cohesion. In the meantime
we have a “wasteful and consumption-oriented excessive
development, which stands in unacceptable contrast to the persistent
situations of degrading misery”, whilst we are not moving fast enough
developing economic institutions and social programmes that
enable the poorest to have regular access
to basic resources. There is insufficient awareness of the
root causes of the current imbalance, which also have to do
with the orientation, the aims, the meaning and the social
context of technological and economic growth.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am