Good morning good people,
May the Lord give you peace and blessings. It is 23rd May 2025. We reflect on Acts 15:22–31 and John 15:12–17.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux “You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.”
In many nations, people are broadly classified as citizens, residents, resident aliens, and aliens. And when we consider someone an alien, we often—knowingly or not—treat them with subtle detachment, filtering our relationships through invisible walls.
Such a challenge was not foreign to the early Church. A similar dilemma arose: should Gentile believers be treated as second-class members—resident aliens—despite being baptized into the same Body of Christ? The early Christian community faced this division head-on. The Council of Jerusalem gathered to discern, debate, and decide. That sacred gathering, guided by the Holy Spirit, brought forth a clear and bold declaration: there is no room for division in Christ’s Church.
Today’s first reading echoes this momentous decision. The Apostles, led by the Spirit, declared that baptism makes all believers equal citizens of the Kingdom of God. There are no longer aliens in the household of faith. The decree, entrusted to Barsabbas and Silas alongside Paul and Barnabas, brought joy and encouragement to the faithful in Antioch.
This ancient truth still challenges us: Do we uphold the Church’s four marks—One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—not just in word, but in our relationships? Or do we allow racism, tribalism, groupism, or elitism to silently infiltrate our parishes, our ministries, our hearts?
The Psalm today resounds with gratitude: “I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples” (Ps. 56:10). All peoples. Not just our circle, our language, or our kind.
And in the Gospel, Jesus lays bare the heart of the Christian life: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12). A love without boundaries, without agendas, without exception. A love that chooses, appoints, and sends us to bear lasting fruit—fruit born of friendship, sacrifice, and unity.
As Christ calls us friends, let us offer that same gift of friendship to all our Christian brethren, without limits or conditions. Just as Jesus laid down His life for us, may we too be willing to love deeply, to build bridges, to lay down our pride for the sake of communion.
May God help us to unite all people in Christ. Let our faith be the bond that breaks down walls and builds up the Body of Christ.
May you have a grace-filled day. God bless you richly.