The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the sources of joy in our lives and nudge us to ponder Jesus' invitation to live in love as key to real joy.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the decision of the Council concerning Gentiles.
* [15:7–11] Paul’s refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians is supported by Peter on the ground that within his own experience God bestowed the holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the Mosaic law (see Acts 10:44–47).
* [15:11] In support of Paul, Peter formulates the fundamental meaning of the gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.
* [15:13–35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 96 is a hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God.
* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus exhorts “Remain in my love”
Cindy Costanzo comments that all humans love …”love”…they love their families, significant others, and friends. We love watching love whether it’s displayed in movies, or families and friends gathered at special events. We love seeing communities rise together at pivotal moments, singing patriotic songs for their countries, experiencing births of newborns…all are representative of some form of love…
Love is often taken for granted and when it is lost..it is a loss that is described as unsurmountable causing a grief so profound it shakes us to our core.
I love being loved by Jesus. I am blessed and grateful. In return, I promise to love more: more profound, more deeply, more like Jesus as he desires.
I must share a beautiful poem I found from an earlier reflection by Pat Callone (2007) that is profound and perfect for this reflection on love.
Psalms of a Laywoman by Edwina Gateley, V.M.M. (within her book also). (Costanzo, 2025)
https://www.journeywithjesus.net/poemsandprayers/559-edwina-gateley-called-to-become
Don Schwager quotes “Joy in rejoicing over us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"And what else is Christ's joy in us except that he is pleased to rejoice over us? And what is this joy of ours that he says is to be made full, but our having fellowship with him?... His joy, therefore, in us is the grace he has bestowed on us, and that is also our joy. But he rejoiced over this joy even from eternity when he chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Nor can we rightly say that his joy was not full. For God's joy was never at any time imperfect. But that joy of his was not in us. For we, in whom that joy could exist, had as yet no existence. And even when our existence commenced, it began not to be in him. But in him it always was, who in the infallible truth of his own foreknowledge rejoiced that we should yet be his own. Accordingly, he had a joy over us that was already full when he rejoiced in foreknowing and foreordaining us. And there could hardly be any fear intermingling in that joy of his that might imply a possible failure in what he foreknew would be done by himself." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 83.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:9-11 notes that Jesus says, “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” (John 15:10). Jesus just revealed his secret to staying immersed in his Father’s love: by keeping his commands. And here’s where the joy comes in. Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you” (15:11). That’s the answer! Joy comes to those who commit themselves to living out Jesus’ commands.
This kind of joy isn’t something we can make ourselves feel; it’s a gift from God. It’s a “fruit of the Spirit” that arises in us as we strive to live in obedience and remain in his love and trust in the Lord (Galatians 5:22). So what is joy? The answer is not so much “what” as it is “who.” It’s Jesus, living in us, filling us with his joy as we set our hearts on following him.
“Jesus, you are the source of my joy. Help me to follow you more each day.” (Meditation on John 15:9-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the continuation of the Council of Jerusalem and some of the details of the agreement of Peter, James, and the Council that Gentiles did not have to become Jews to follow Jesus. The compromise reached is described differently, initially in Galatians, and 20 yrs later in Acts. Friar Jude reminds us of our need to attend to the Commandments and avoid scrupulosity in the spirit of Augustine that we only need to “Love God and Do what you will”.
Brian McLaren explores the value of our inherited faith traditions, inviting students to both honor and wrestle with them.
I think what we are all really seeking is a living and healthy tradition, something that isn’t just about words or arguments, but that is about life in all its fullness and about deep, deep love—a love for this earth, a love for each other, and a love for God who we experience both within us and all around us. When we find a way into a tradition like that, a tradition of love and growth and wisdom and humility and respect—what an honor and blessing! What a waste to only live your life for something small and self-centered when you have a chance to be part of a bigger story and a deeper Tradition. (McLaren, n.d.)
We consider our gratitude for the love we experience as we open ourselves to guidance by the Spirit to celebrate our joy in relationship with God and the people in our lives.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?7
Costanzo, C. (2025, May 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052225.html
John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?9
McLaren, B. (n.d.). A Living Tradition. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-living-tradition/
Meditation on John 15:9-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/22/1282371/
Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Abide in My Love. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may22
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