Respond in Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine how our experience of Love is the motivation for our work in the vineyard of the Lord.

Consistent Life Ethic

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the Letter of the Apostles to the Delegates at Antioch.

* [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).

* [15:34] Some manuscripts add, in various wordings, “But Silas decided to remain there.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 57 contains a prayer for rescue from enemies.

* [Psalm 57] Each of the two equal strophes contains a prayer for rescue from enemies, accompanied by joyful trust in God (Ps 57:2–5, 7–11). The refrain prays that God be manifested as saving (Ps 57:6, 12). Ps 108 is nearly identical to part of this Psalm (cf. Ps 57:8–11, Ps 108:2–6). (Psalms, PSALM 57 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus presents the depth of love for friends.

* [15:13] For one’s friends: or: “those whom one loves.” In Jn 15:9–13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapaō. In Jn 15:13b–15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileō. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean “to love”; cf. also Jn 21:15–17. The word philos is used here.

* [15:15] Slaves,friends: in the Old Testament, Moses (Dt 34:5), Joshua (Jos 24:29), and David (Ps 89:21) were called “servants” or “slaves of Yahweh”; only Abraham (Is 41:8; 2 Chr 20:7; cf. Jas 2:23) was called a “friend of God.” (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp comments that focusing on applying the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is indeed a determining factor of how well we love others. Through our interactions we are to demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That is what loving others really looks like in real life. Thoughtful application of these elements is certainly the true test of how well we are loving others. The “fruit of the spirit” test must remain at the forefront of our thoughts, words, and actions every waking moment of our lives if we truly are seeking to love as Jesus has loved us.

Dear Heavenly Father, we genuinely want to live to serve you, to follow all your commands. On this day, help us to specifically focus upon your simple directive to love one another. Help us to solidify our focus upon the fruits of the Spirit, knowing that each of those characteristics is key to loving others as you have loved us. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Love encompasses the other commandments,” by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD).

"This is my commandment." Have you then only one precept? This is sufficient, even if it is unique and so great. Nevertheless he also said, "Do not kill" (Matthew 19:18) because the one who loves does not kill. He said, "Do not steal," because the one who loves does even more-he gives. He said, "Do not lie," for the one who loves speaks the truth, against falsehood. "I give you a new commandment" (John 13:14). If you have not understood what "This is my commandment" means, let the apostle be summoned as interpreter and say, "The goal of his commandment is love" (1 Timothy 1:5). What is its binding force? It is that of which [the Lord] spoke, "Whatever you want others to do to you, you should do also" (Matthew 7:12)."Love one another" in accordance with this measure, "as I have loved you." That is not possible, for you are our Lord who loves your servants. But we who are equals, how can we love one another as you have loved us? Nevertheless, he has said it... His love is that he has called us his friends. If we were to give our life for you, would our love be equal to yours?... How then can what he said be explained, "As I have loved you"? "Let us die for each other," he said. As for us, we do not even want to live for one another! "If I, who am your Lord and God, die for you, how much more should you die for one another." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 19.13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:12-17 comments that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not the first time he laid down his life. Think of the countless times that he gave of himself to the crowds that followed him, even when he was tired. Or the patience he showed when his disciples didn’t understand what he was trying to teach them. We can follow in his footsteps in these ways as well.

It’s just a matter of stepping out and doing what God has put before you. And every time you say yes, you’ll find Jesus there, ready to pour out the grace you need to lay down your life. Each act of obedience to God’s call to love is an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus and to reflect his self-giving love.

“Jesus, give me the grace to say yes to your call to love, just where I am today.” (Meditation on John 15:12-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Acts, we have a report of the Council of Jerusalem for Gentile Christians that following Jewish Law or circumcision was not required. The report of this agreement letter in 1 Corinthians raises the question of when this decision was made. In John 15:13, Jesus describes great love as laying down one’s life for one’s friend. We have a freedom to be able to choose to be one with Christ. Friar Jude comments that the concept that some people aren’t called, known as predestination, does not fit the image of God presented by Jesus. God wants to live with all of us for all eternity in heaven.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Mirabai Starr who describes how the language of romance and erotic love is the universal experience of mystics across religious traditions.

In the Song of Songs, the lover sings of her search for her beloved:

At night on my bed I longed only for my love.
I sought him, but did not find him.
I must rise and go about the city,
the narrow streets and squares until I find my only love.
I sought him everywhere but I could not find him. (Song of Songs 3:1–2)(Rohr, 2026)

Starr describes longing as an essential aspect of nuptial mysticism:

Something in our souls recognizes this dynamic of exile and return. We remember that our source is Love. We suffer from the illusion of having been pulled up from our soul roots. We long to go home. We engage every practice we can get our hands on to restore our birthright of belonging. And when we attain those fleeting moments of union, we realize we were never two to begin with. We were always one and always will be one.

The language of love is like a spaceship that blasts us through the layers of illusion and delivers us to the truth of our essential connectedness with the Divine and our interconnectedness with all of creation. There’s nothing like a passage of mystical poetry, incandescent with the fire of longing and besotted by the wine of union, to evoke our own burning yearning and reveal our capacity for melding. [2] (Rohr, 2026)

We recognize that understanding of Love in Jesus is mystical and we implore the Spirit to reveal this love in our interactions with the people and places in our environment.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15? 

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-8-2026 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15? 

Meditation on John 15:12-17. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/08/1560393/ 

Psalms, PSALM 57 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/57 

Rohr, R. (2026, May 6). The Blueprint of Our Soul. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-book-of-devotion/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Have Called You Friends. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

 

Shalom and Surrender

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on our blessings and how we might surrender ourselves to respond to the kindness we have known.

Gratitude for Grace

The Reading from the Book of Numbers shares the Priestly Blessing of shalom.

* [6:26] Peace: the Hebrew word Shalom includes the idea of happiness, good health, prosperity, friendship, and general well-being. To use this term as a greeting was to pray for all these things upon the one greeted. (Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 67 petitions may God be gracious to us.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, Psalm 67| USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians proclaims God’s Free Children in Christ.

* [4:1–7] What Paul has argued in Gal 3:26–29 is now elaborated in terms of the Christian as the heir (Gal 4:1, 7; cf. Gal 3:18, 29) freed from control by others. Again, as in Gal 3:2–5, the proof that Christians are children of God is the gift of the Spirit of Christ relating them intimately to God.

* [4:6] Children: see note on Gal 3:26; here in contrast to the infant or young person not of age (Gal 3:1, 3). Abba: cf. Mk 14:36 and the note; Rom 8:15. (Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Visit of the Shepherds and the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus.

* [2:21] Just as John before him had been incorporated into the people of Israel through his circumcision, so too this child (see note on Lk 1:57–66). (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. George Meze, SJ, reflects on Mary’s sense of awe and wonder, He is reminded of Kris Kristofferson’s song, “Why Me Lord”. As Mary shared her life with Jesus, may we share our blessings with everyone—especially the poor—In doing so, we can truly sing, “Why me, Lord, what have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known?”

“Why me Lord, what have I ever done

 To deserve even one

 Of the pleasures I’ve known… 

Tell me Lord, what did I ever do

 That was worth loving You

 Or the kindness You’ve shown.” (Meze, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “By Christ's faith, hope, and love we are purified,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"He therefore received in the flesh the circumcision decreed by the law, although he appeared in the flesh absolutely without any blemish of pollution. He who came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) - not in sinful flesh - did not turn away from the remedy by which sinful flesh was ordinarily made clean. Similarly, not because of necessity but for the sake of example, he also submitted to the water of baptism, by which he wanted the people of the new law of grace to be washed from the stain of sins...

"The reason 'the child who was born to us, the son who was given to us ' (Isaiah 9:6), received the name Jesus (that is, 'Savior') does not need explanation in order to be understood by us, but we need eager and vigilant zeal so that we too may be saved by sharing in his name. Indeed, we read how the angel interprets the name of Jesus: 'He will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). And without a doubt we believe and hope that the one who saves us from sins is not failing to save us also from the corruptions which happen because of sins, and from death itself, as the psalmist testifies when he says, 'Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases' (Psalm 103:3). Indeed, with the pardoning of all of our iniquities, all our diseases will be completely healed when, with the appearance of the glory of the resurrection, our last enemy, death, will be destroyed... We read that circumcision was done with knives made of rock (Joshua 5:2), and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And by Christ's faith, hope and love the hearts of the good are purified not only in baptism but furthermore in every devout action. This daily circumcision of ours (that is, the continual cleansing of our heart) does not cease from always celebrating the sacrament of the eighth day. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.11) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Galatians 4:4-7 comments that Mary also modeled what saying yes to God looks like through her daily example of humility, compassion, and faith.

As you begin a new year, take Mary as your mother. She prays for you, she loves you, and she cares for you. Let her teach you how to say yes to God. Your “yes” might seem like nothing extraordinary: someone to care for, someone to encourage, or faithfulness to prayer in the midst of a busy day. But Mary knows that they all add up to an extraordinary life in God’s eyes, and the rewards of a faithful life.

“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me.” (Meditation on Galatians 4:4-7, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the priestly blessing in Numbers, God is with them in a kindly way. Jesus was born of a woman and Jesus was truly Jewish as being Jewish is passed through the mother. In the Letter to the Galatians we hear the Spirit cries “Abba”. We find God most truly when we listen to our hearts and experience Jesus as a loving parent sitting with us. The shepherds arrival in Luke is unusual as they were not thought of as honest and reliable. Friar Jude places them in the anawim and notes that, in Mary's heart, where we think in Jesus' time, her child is named “Yahweh saves” and carries His mission in His name.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Margaret Feinberg who writes of the collective impact of bringing forward our own “salty” flavor for the healing of the world. Feinberg offers encouragement when the suffering of the world feels overwhelming.

For me, it’s hard to know where to begin some days. I become overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of needs that flood my inbox and mailbox, my texts and social media feeds. In search of how to find a way forward, I once stumbled on wisdom tucked into some ancient Jewish writings known as the Talmud. There it says that if someone is suffering and in need, and you can take away 1/60 of their pain, then that is goodness, and the call to help is from God. This is a powerful expression of our being the salt—the preservers, the flavorers, the fertilizers—of the earth.

The fraction—1/60—is loaded with freedom. This liberates us from the pressured thinking that whispers, Everything depends on you. Your one little grain of salt can help with something someone else’s grain can’t. And when all the grains get mixed and sprinkled together, preserving and flavoring and helping others flourish occurs everywhere. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the possibility of Peace on Earth as we begin 2026 and implore the Spirit to reveal our mission and support our surrender to be salt and light in our environment.

References

Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/4?4 

Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?16 

Meditation on Galatians 4:4-7. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/01/1463077/ 

Meze, G. (2026, January 1). Daily Reflection January 1, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-1-2026 

Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/6?22

Psalms, Psalm 67| USCCB. (n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Little Salt Goes a Long Way. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-little-salt-goes-a-long-way/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Was Called Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/