Love and Law

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today enlighten our understanding of the relationship between Law and Love in our mission as disciples of Christ.

Life and the Law

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the tension between Gentile Christians and Mosaic Law.

* [15:1–35] The Jerusalem “Council” marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing.

* [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).

* [15:14] Symeon: elsewhere in Acts he is called either Peter or Simon. The presence of the name Symeon here suggests that, in the source Luke is using for this part of the Jerusalem “Council” incident, the name may have originally referred to someone other than Peter (see Acts 13:1 where the Antiochene Symeon Niger is mentioned). As the text now stands, however, it is undoubtedly a reference to Simon Peter (Acts 15:7). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 praises 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.)

The Gospel of John, presents the discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples.

* [15:1–16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus.

Kimberly Grassmeyer comments on the Gospel that here, John recounts Jesus telling his disciples, after having risen from death to fulfill the promise of the resurrection, to “Remain in my Love”.

Can you take a moment to visualize the Christ of your heart?  How powerful and joyful it is to put ourselves among the disciples, to see and feel him telling us that his joy is complete because of us!  Telling us that he loves us as God loves him.  And then asking - in fact, commanding - us to remain in his love.  I want to!  I’m smiling in peace, love and joy, and my heart is full at the vision of being so beloved.  I pray the same for you, also. Amen. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

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 Acts 15:7-21 comments that, with the Spirit’s help, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James came to realize that this gift of the Spirit was the fulfillment of God’s purposes in the Law.  The Lord was reaching out to anyone who turned to him, Jew and Gentile alike!

God is still at work today “acquiring . . . a people for his name” (Acts 15:14). He is still building a Church composed of people from every nation and background and culture. And he wants you to join him in his mission. So how can you extend his gracious invitation to the people around you, especially to those who are different from you? Is it through hospitality? Intercession? Opening the path to reconciliation? The overwhelming grace of the Lord Jesus continues to flow outward, so give away the gift that you have been given! (Meditation on Acts 15:7-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the continuation of the Council of Jerusalem to decide the future of Gentile Christians. This echoes the belief that God would even call the Gentiles when he restored Israel. The requirements to not participate in unlawful marriage or eat the blood of animals cite additional rules. In Galatians, Paul cites requirements are different from martial fidelity and dietary prohibitions. The requirements in 1 Corinthians were written earlier than Luke’s requirements in Acts. Friar Jude comments that Paul represents what actually happened and Luke describes what happened in the meantime. We attend to the commandments to participate in the Love of Christ and share His Joy, based on the sense of living and thriving in Love.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces James Finley who celebrates Bernard of Clairvaux’s emphasis on love.

Bernard of Clairvaux recognized that there’s fraternal love, our love for our siblings. There’s the love of parents for their children, and the love of children for their parents. God also gives us love for our friends. But nuptial love is unique in that two people freely choose to give themselves to each other completely: to support each other, to be there for each other, and to be with each other. So, their sexual union is a physical, somatic celebration of the love in which they give and receive.

Arise my love, my fair one,
  and come away.
O my dove, in the clefts of rocks,
  in the covert of the cliff,
let me see your face;
  let me hear your voice,
for your voice is sweet
  and your face is lovely….

My beloved is mine, and I am his. (Song of Songs 2:13–14, 16)

You can see why Bernard saw nuptial love, portrayed in the Song of Songs, as the supreme love. It’s like when spouses love and give themselves to each other—the infinite love of God infinitely gives God’s self to us. Nuptial mysticism is like being married to God. God wants us to be married to God in this kiss, this ultimate, sovereign, and supreme love. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit as we contemplate action that respects the Law and delivers Love.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15? 

Grassmeyer, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-7-2026 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?9 

Meditation on Acts 15:7-21. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/07/1559930/ 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). I Am My Beloved’s. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/i-am-my-beloveds/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Abide in My Love. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Sacred Solidarity

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to act for love and acceptance in the face of issues and opinions that threaten the unity that Jesus seeks in prayer.

Solidarity and the Spirit

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Paul before the Sanhedrin.

* [23:11] The occurrence of the vision of Christ consoling Paul and assuring him that he will be his witness in Rome prepares the reader for the final section of Acts: the journey of Paul and the word he preaches to Rome under the protection of the Romans. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 16 rejects the futile worship of false gods.

* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 16, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus prays for the believers ultimately to join him in heaven.

* [17:1–26] Climax of the last discourse(s). Since the sixteenth century, this chapter has been called the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. He speaks as intercessor, with words addressed directly to the Father and not to the disciples, who supposedly only overhear. Yet the prayer is one of petition, for immediate (Jn 17:6–19) and future (Jn 17:20–21) disciples. Many phrases reminiscent of the Lord’s Prayer occur. Although still in the world (Jn 17:13), Jesus looks on his earthly ministry as a thing of the past (Jn 17:4, 12). Whereas Jesus has up to this time stated that the disciples could follow him (Jn 13:33, 36), now he wishes them to be with him in union with the Father (Jn 17:12–14).

* [17:24] Where I am: Jesus prays for the believers ultimately to join him in heaven. Then they will not see his glory as in a mirror but clearly (2 Cor 3:18; 1 Jn 3:2).

* [17:26] I will make it known: through the Advocate. (John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rashmi Fernando, S.J. comments that the central desire of Jesus’ prayer is unity: “that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you.” This oneness is not about uniformity but communion—a deep connection grounded in love, truth, and divine presence.

At the heart of this prayer is an incredible truth: we are God’s gift to Jesus. This is how much we are loved. And this love is not distant or abstract—it desires to dwell in us: “that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.” Let this prayer of Jesus echo in your heart: I am loved, I am called, and I am one with Him.

As we reflect, let us examine ourselves:

Do I live with the awareness that I am deeply loved and united to God?

Am I an agent of love and unity in my family, community, or workplace?

What changes ought I make in my to-do list to bring about that love and unity in and around me? (Fernando, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Prayer of unity for all who believe,” by Cyprian of Carthage - first martyr bishop of Africa, 200-258 A.D.

"The Lord's loving-kindness, no less than his mercy, is great in respect of our salvation in that, not content to redeem us with his blood, he in addition prayed for us. See now what the desire of his petition was, that just as the Father and Son are one, so also we should abide in absolute unity. From this, it may be evident how greatly someone sins who divides unity and peace, since even the Lord himself petitioned for this same thing. He no doubt desired that his people should in this way be saved and live in peace since he knew that discord cannot come into the kingdom of God." (excerpt from THE LORD'S PRAYER 30.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 17:20-26 comments that Jesus knew that our love for one another could be so pure and so striking that it would draw other people to us. They would sense that there is something special—even divine—about our love for each other.

If Jesus’ final prayer for us tells us nothing else, it makes this one truth crystal clear: everything comes back to love. God loves his Son completely and fully. And he loves you completely and fully. May we all come to taste that love today, and may that love heal all our divisions—so that the world may believe!

“Jesus, teach me to live in love!” (Meditation on John 17:20-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts, Paul is arrested and accused of bringing a Gentile into the Temple, a false accusation. The Roman troops bring Paul to the Sanhedrin. Paul, son of a Pharisee, studied under Gamaliel, a renowned Jewish rabbi and Pharisee. Sadducees accept the first five books and not resurrection of the dead. Friar Jude reminds us, in the Gospel of John, that Jesus prays for disciples now and in future imploring us to share the “glory” which is love manifested strongest on the Cross. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Dr. Yolanda Pierce who expresses her call to welcome those who come to the communion table. Theologian M. Shawn Copeland describes how the Eucharist calls us to solidarity with those who suffer.

Eucharistic solidarity orients us to the cross of the lynched Jesus of Nazareth, where we grasp the enormity of suffering, affliction, and oppression as well as apprehend our complicity in the suffering, affliction, and oppression of others.… Eucharistic solidarity teaches us to imagine, to hope for, and to create new possibilities. Because that solidarity enfolds us, rather than dismiss “others,” we act in love; rather than refuse “others,” we respond in acts of self-sacrifice—committing ourselves to the long labor of creation, to the enfleshment of freedom….  

At the table that Jesus prepares, all may assemble: In his body we are made anew, a community of faith—the living and the dead. In our presence, the Son of Man gathers up the remnants of our memories, the broken fragments of our histories, [and] judges, blesses, and transforms them. His Eucharistic banquet re-orders us, re-members us, restores us, and makes us one. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the challenge of Jesus' Prayer for solidarity in “all being one” in the Love of the Father as we seek guidance from the Spirit to incorporate love in our relationships with all the people in our environment.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/23 

Fernando, R. (2025, June 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 5, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060525.html 

John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?20 

Meditation on John 17:20-26. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 5, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/05/1298452/ 

Psalms, PSALM 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Eucharistic Solidarity. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 5, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/eucharistic-solidarity/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). May They Become Perfectly One. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 5, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/eucharistic-solidarity/