1 Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” 2Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.22 The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. 23 This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers inAntioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, 25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by wordof mouth: 28 ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, 29namely; to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”
P S A L M - Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R: O God, let all the nations praise you!
1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3]So may your way be known upon earth;among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5]May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 5 [6]May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)
2ND READING - Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
10 “The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the Holy City Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. 13 There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. 23 The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.”
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 14:23-29
23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. 25 “I have told you this while I am with you. 26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”
SABBATH
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PEACE
Peace, or peace of mind, is a common prayer request. A lot of people today are bothered, confused, unsettled and lacking in peace. The Easter season we celebrate these days is one of peace-giving. Jesus desires to give us peace. He says, “Don’t be afraid.” Many of us suffer from anxiety, depression, sinful habits and painful memories. The antidote to all these is peace; in the Hebrew language, shalom. Shalom is a word that describes an inner peace deeply ministering comfort, security and confidence. It was the usual greeting of the Jews or Arabs, even until today. Jesus wants our well-being. He wants us to be healthy. He wants us to experience this abiding shalom deep within us.
In the Gospel today, Jesus describes this shalom as a farewell gift. He understands the hearts of the disciples; He knows the sadness that will overwhelm them in the coming days. He knows the fear, trouble and bothered minds that long for true abiding peace. It is a gift of Jesus and a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The peace that the world offers is false peace, superficial and misleading. The world says happiness and peace are found in the best brand of clothing or the right skin product. Even a can of tuna can bring you happiness, as they say!
Let us do as Jesus tells us: abide in Him and His Word. His word is truth and shalom. Loving Him, listening to His Word and living it in our lives will bring about the fullness of peace we desperately need. Today is Sunday, the great day of Easter peace, when Jesus rose from the dead. Let us take this day of rest seriously as God commanded — to keep the Sabbath holy. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you have peace in your heart right now?
Lord Jesus, grant me peace of heart and mind. Help me to always turn to You, especially when the burdens of daily life become too heavy for me.
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St. Asaph, bishop, pray for us.
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