*** 1st Reading ***

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

It was during this time that Peter stood up in the midst of the community

– about one hundred and twenty in all –  and he said, “Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures referring to Judas be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit had spoken through David about the one who would lead the crowd coming to arrest Jesus. He was one of our number and had been called to share our common ministry.

In the book of Psalms it is written: Let his house become deserted and may no one live in it. But it is also written: May another take his office. Therefore we must choose someone from among those who were with us during all the time that the Lord Jesus moved about with us, beginning with John’s baptism until the day when Jesus was taken away from us. One of these has to become, with us, a witness to his resurrection.”

 Then they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Mat­thias. They prayed: “You know, Lord, what is in the hearts of all. Show us, therefore, which of the two you have chosen to replace Judas in this apostolic ministry which he deserted to go to the place he deserved.”

Then they drew lots between the two and the choice fell on Matthias who was added to the eleven apostles.

 

Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

 

**** Gospel ****

John 15:9-17

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love.   You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.   This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.  

There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends; and you are my friends if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants anymore, be­cause servants do not know what their mas­ter is about. Instead I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.

You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is my command, that you love one another.

 

Gospel Reflection

The Church is not a perfect community, neither is it a perfect institution. But it is a community that is meant to be rooted in the new commandment given by Jesus to his disciples, the commandment of love. Like any other community though, just like any other institution, the church will have its flaws, especially since it is made flaws, especially since it is made up of flawed human beings, men and women who are all trying to become the persons God wants them to be.

It is important that we keep this reality ever before our eyes, especially given the many challenges the church is facing today, the many scandals that have caused many believers to question their membership in it, and the many instances in which Jesus’ new commandment are seemingly forgotten.

Despite all this, however, Jesus remains present in his church – his promise that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” remain true today as it was when he first spoke it to his disciples and when the early community of believers began creating the structures they needed to continue the work of spreading the Gospel.