"From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you."

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

 Some persons who had come from

Judea to Antioch were teaching the brothers in this way, “Unless you are circumcised according to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

 Because of this there was trouble, and Paul and Barnabas had fierce arguments with them. For Paul told the people to remain as they were when they became believers. Finally those who had come from Jerusalem suggested that Paul and Barnabas and some others go up to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders.

Then the apostles and elders together with the whole Church decided to choose representatives from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. These were Judas, known as Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.  They took with them the following letter:

Greetings from the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the believers of non-Jewish birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.  We have heard that some persons from among us have worried you with their discussions and troubled your peace of mind. They were not ap­pointed by us.  

 But now, it has seemed right to us in an assembly, to choose representatives and to send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,   who have dedicated their lives to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We send you then Judas and Silas who themselves will give you these instructions by word of mouth.

We, with the Holy Spirit, have decided not to put any other burden on you except what is necessary:   You are to abstain from blood from the meat of strangled animals and from prohibited marriages. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

 

Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

O God, let all the nations praise you!

  

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊    

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

He took me up in a spiritual vision to a very high moun­tain and he showed me the holy city Jeru­salem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shines with the glory of God,  like a precious jewel with the color of crystal-clear jasper.

at them are twelve angels. Over the gates are written the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.  Three gates face the east; three gates face the north; three gates face the south and three face the west.   The city wall stands on twelve foundation stones on which are written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 I saw no temple in the city for the Lord God, Master of the universe, and the Lamb are themselves its temple.   The city has no need of the light of the sun or the moon, since God’s Glory is its light and the Lamb is its lamp.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Peace of Christ

Read:

The Jerusalem Council decides to liberate the gentile converts from the yoke of external obligations. John speaks of God Himself as the temple and the light of the new world order. Jesus promises the gift of the Spirit and an abiding peace.

Reflect:

It is important to note that Jesus promises “his” peace to the disciples, because the peace he gives is essentially different from the kind of peace the world gives. For, the worldly peace almost always is soaked in violence and bloodshed; it is a nuclear peace forced on others out of fear and threat.

It is a peace brought about by war and destruction; a peace amidst the tombs. However, the peace that Christ offers is a liberating one, a non-violent peace; peace that is offered and received in freedom and love; peace that does not alienate anyone but includes everyone; peace that leaves the tombs open raising even the dead.

It is a share of such liberating peace that the apostles, through the Jerusalem Council, offered the gentile converts.

Pray: Pray for the grace of being agents of the peace of Christ.

Act: Make peace (of Christ) with someone whom you have kept at a distance until now for the sake of having (worldly) peace.