Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 30 April 2027

22 Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

23 Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting.

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment:

25 It hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men, and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and Paul:

26 Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.

28 For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things:

29 That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

8 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will Sing, and rehearse a psalm.

9 Arise, O my glory, arise psaltery and harp: I will arise early.

R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

10 I will give praise to thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing a psalm to thee among the nations.

12 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.

R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15b I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

12 This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you.

15 I will not now call you servants: for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you.

16 You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Jesus gives his disciples a dignity beyond that of servants: he calls them friends. He has made known to them what he has received from the Father, and he asks them to let that friendship take visible form in love—love willing to give itself for others and to bear fruit that remains. Christian discipleship begins with being chosen and loved by Christ, then becomes a life shaped by his command.

The first Christians had to discern together how to welcome Gentile believers without placing unnecessary burdens upon them. Their decision, reached in communion and openness to the Holy Spirit, brought consolation and rejoicing. Their concern was not to win an argument, but to protect the truth and help the Church live faithfully. The psalm gives voice to the result: a heart made ready to praise God among all peoples.

Christ’s friends are recognized by the love they practice and by the fruit their lives produce. We can honor that friendship today through patient speech, faithful service, and choices that help rather than weigh down those entrusted to us. Love becomes credible when it seeks another person’s good.

Lord Jesus, you have chosen us and called us your friends. Open our hearts to receive your word and to remain close to you. Teach us to love with the generosity you revealed, giving ourselves in quiet and faithful service. Grant your Church wisdom to discern together, courage to guard what is true, and tenderness toward those who need encouragement. Keep us from placing needless burdens upon others. Make our lives fruitful in ways that endure, and place a song of gratitude within us so that your goodness may be praised among all peoples. Amen.