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| "The Ecstasy of St Catherine of Siena" by Pompeo Batoni, 1743 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Acts 15:22-31
Commentary on Acts 15:22-31
The conclusion of the First Council of Jerusalem is described in this selection. 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.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 57:8-9, 10 and 12
R. (10a) 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 lament. These strophes, however, constitute 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.
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Gospel: John 15:12-17
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.”
CCC: Jn 15:12 459, 1823, 1970, 2074; Jn 15:13 363, 609, 614; Jn 15:15 1972, 2347; Jn 15:16-17 2745; Jn 15:16 434, 737, 2615, 2815
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Reflection:
We are graced to hear this familiar expression: “love one another,” continuing the discourse on unity with Christ. In all honesty, it is so important that it should be our mantra every day. Each time we encounter another person the Lord’s words should spring to our mind. The phrase should color our every action, always combined with its necessary precursor: “Love God.”
“Love one another” is repeated many times in sacred scripture, especially the New Testament (actually repeated 14 times, 4 times in St. John’s Gospel alone). It is central to how we behave in the community of faith. All that we do and say must be measured against that standard.
The Gospel, of course, tells us that Jesus is about to express his love for mankind by offering his life, that all might find life again. This act, he tells them, is the ultimate expression of the phrase: “Love one another.” And (ironically) with the exception of St. John, the author of this Gospel, all of the Apostles did just as the Lord had done; they laid down their lives in martyrdom for love of God and love of one another.
We pray that we will never be put to this severe a test, but if we do, that we, like Christ and his friends, will find the strength, coupled with the help of the Holy Spirit, to stand courageously for Christ and the Gospel. That is how others should know us isn’t it, that we “love one another”?
Pax
[2] The picture used is "The Ecstasy of St Catherine of Siena" by Pompeo Batoni, 1743
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