Mass Readings and Reflection for Thursday May 7th, 2026

First Reading: (Acts 15:7–21)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 96)

“Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.”

Alleluia: (John 10:27)

Alleluia, Alleluia.
“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.”
Alleluia.

Gospel: (John 15:9–11)

Reflection

When many people hear the word commandments, they immediately think of rules, burdens, restrictions, and fear. The image that often comes to mind is Moses carrying heavy stone tablets down Mount Sinai. God’s laws can seem distant, severe, and impossible to live fully.

But today’s Gospel gives us a completely different perspective.

Jesus reveals that the commandments are not chains meant to imprison us; they are invitations into divine love. God’s will is not about crushing humanity under impossible demands. His commandments flow from His love and are meant to lead us into joy, communion, and fullness of life.

Jesus says, “Remain in my love.”
That is the heart of Christianity.

The commandments are not simply about avoiding sin; they are about remaining close to God. They protect the relationship between the Creator and His children. They guide us toward the kind of life where the joy of Christ can truly live within us.

In the Gospel, Jesus does not say obedience leads to misery. He says:

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

That changes everything.

The saints understood this deeply. They discovered that holiness is not the death of joy but its fulfillment. The closer a person draws to God, the more freedom, peace, and purpose they experience.

Like an athlete who feels alive while running the race they were born to run, the soul finds its true purpose when living in communion with God. Every commandment becomes not a punishment, but a pathway toward divine joy.

And the beautiful mystery is this: when we begin running toward God, we discover that Christ has already been running toward us all along.

May we remain in His love.
May His joy live within us.
And may our joy be made complete.

Amen.

God bless you 🙏