Daily Readings for May 6, 2018

Sixth Sunday of Easter

1st READING

Today’s reading is the first official evangelization of the Gentiles. Peter takes the Gospel to the Gentiles in order to emphasize the legitimacy of the mission. As the head of the Church, Peter’s action is endorsed to all, particularly Paul, in their ministries. Order is an important concern for the author of Acts — he ascribes to Peter the first sermon to the Gentiles. After Peter, Paul will soon take up leadership in this mission.

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. 26 Peter, however, raised him up saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” 34 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, 46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?” 48 He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

P S A L M 

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)

2nd READING

We are reminded once again that love is at the center of the Gospel proclamation. We must truly love the people to whom we are sent to proclaim it. Let us love those in our pastoral care and pray that the Holy Spirit will work powerfully within them. If they are appointed to have authority over us, let us rejoice that a new leader has been raised for the Church.

1 John 4:7-10

7 Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. 8 Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

GOSPEL

The greatest commandment is the commandment of love – love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus reminds His disciples of this truth as we are reminded today that this is indeed a command of the Lord to us. God does not command us to like one another as liking is purely a result of our feelings; love is, and always has been and will be a decision that we make – not always an easy one but a decision nonetheless. Hence, it is right that God can command us to love.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

John 15:9-17 

9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 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. 17 This I command you: love one another.”