What marvelous readings for today!  The one that caught me at first was from Acts. 

“It was resolved by the apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole Jerusalem church, that representatives be chosen from among their number and sent to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas….”

“Thus were the representatives sent on their way to Antioch; and upon their arrival there they called the assembly together to deliver the letter…”

Can’t you just see it now?!  Here are leading men of the Jerusalem Church, traveling to Antioch, calling a meeting with the “brothers of Gentile origin in Antioch….”  They arrive in the cool of the evening and word spreads they have come…

The people gather round to listen to the letter…..”When it was read, there was great delight at the encouragement it gave.”

There’s the word that caught me…encouragement…

The early church needed encouragement and so do we.  We need encouragement to keep going…to keep the faith.

The Gospel today shows Jesus speaking to his disciples: “This is my commandment:  love one another as I have loved you….  I no longer speak of you as slaves, for a slave does not know what his master is about.  Instead I call you friends….  It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit.  Your fruit must endure, so that all you ask the Father in my name he will give you…”

When we hear the above words, we know what we are to be about.  We have been chosen, been given much; we are to bear fruit by sharing what we have been given.

The community needs the inspiration of each member.  The community needs to be encouraged to keep the faith, to love others as we love ourselves…to ask for the graces we need from the Father … in Jesus’ name.

We need encouragement to ask … to receive … to follow through with the commandment to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. 

That’s the mission for each one of us.  Be conscious of the prayers, love and encouragement of your brothers and sisters.  Encourage others…..to keep Jesus’ commandment … in their homes, their offices, their schools, their communities – locally and nationally. 

Have a great day!!