Friday of the 5th Week of Easter

• First Reading – Acts 15:22-31: The early Church leaders gather to address the issue of Gentile believers and their relationship to the Mosaic Law. They decide that the Gentiles should not be burdened with the entire Law but rather are welcomed into the Christian community, emphasizing the importance of unity and acceptance in the Church.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 57: With a steadfast heart, I sing and give thanks to the Lord. His mercy and faithfulness stretch to the heavens, and his glory fills the earth.
• Gospel – John 15:12-17: Jesus calls his disciples to love one another with deep commitment. He no longer calls them servants but friends, chosen to bear lasting fruit and to receive what they ask from the Father.

Lectionary Reference: 289

Upcoming dates: May 23, 2025, May 8, 2026, April 30, 2027, May 19, 2028, May 4, 2029, May 24, 2030, May 16, 2031, April 30, 2032, May 20, 2033

This I command you: love one another.

John 15:17

The readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter highlight love, unity, and obedience to Christ’s teachings. They remind believers of the bond between Christ and His followers and the call to follow His example.

• Love as Commandment: Jesus tells His followers to love one another as He loved them. This love is sacrificial, putting others first and uniting believers in friendship with Christ.
• Friendship with Christ: Jesus calls His followers friends, not servants, showing a close, personal relationship. This friendship is built on love, trust, and a willingness to follow His example.
• Joy through Obedience: True joy comes from obeying Christ’s commands, especially His command to love. Obedience leads to a sense of peace and purpose in living as Christ taught.
• Unity in Decision-Making: In Acts, the apostles come together to make important decisions, showing unity and cooperation. They seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, showing that unity strengthens the Church.
• Guidance of the Holy Spirit: The apostles listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction, not relying only on their own understanding. This shows that God helps His followers through the Church and the Holy Spirit’s voice.
• Sacrificial Love: Jesus speaks of laying down His life for His friends, showing the highest form of love. This calls believers to be willing to sacrifice for others.
• Spreading Christ’s Teachings: The apostles write to the new believers, sharing Christ’s teachings. They encourage others to live out the teachings in unity, showing the importance of spreading the message.

The themes of love, obedience, and unity remind us of the close bond with Christ and one another. Friday of the 5th Week of Easter encourages believers to live these values each day, growing in their relationship with Christ and His Church.

The readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter bring us messages of unity, love, and friendship with Christ. In Acts, the apostles come together in prayer and rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, showing the strength of unity in decision-making. The Gospel calls us to a deep, sacrificial love for one another and invites us to share in friendship with Jesus. These themes encourage us to follow Christ’s example closely in our daily lives.

Seeking the Holy Spirit’s Guidance

In the first reading for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter, we see the apostles coming together to make a critical decision for the early Church. They meet, pray, and look to the Holy Spirit to lead them. This unity shows the apostles’ humility, as they know they cannot rely only on their own wisdom. By seeking the Holy Spirit, they show trust in God’s guidance for their actions and decisions.

This message is powerful for us today, reminding us that we are not meant to handle challenges alone. When we pray and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we invite God to help us with wisdom beyond our own. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us through uncertain or difficult times, just as He helped the apostles.

Unity within the Church grows when we seek the Holy Spirit together. This reading encourages us to build a spirit of cooperation and trust, relying on God to guide our choices. Just as the apostles united in prayer, we can remember that listening for the Holy Spirit is an essential part of our journey as a community.

Loving One Another as Jesus Loved

In the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter, Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them. His love is selfless and sacrificial, showing the highest form of friendship and care. Jesus calls us to live this kind of love in our own lives, putting others first and being willing to serve and sacrifice for them.

This love isn’t always easy, but it brings true peace and joy. When we put others’ needs ahead of our own, we are living out Jesus’ command to love. This can be as simple as helping someone in need, being patient, or forgiving others. Jesus teaches that this sacrificial love is the foundation of a lasting friendship with Him.

Jesus’ example of love gives us a standard to follow each day. He didn’t love from a distance but came close to us, sharing in our struggles and giving His life for us. Friday of the 5th Week of Easter invites us to deepen our love for one another, inspired by Jesus’ example of selfless, caring love.

Building Friendship with Christ and Each Other

In both readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter, we see the theme of friendship—first, through the apostles’ united bond in the Holy Spirit, and second, through Jesus’ invitation to love as He has loved. Jesus doesn’t call His followers servants, but friends. Friendship with Christ is built on trust, love, and obedience to His teachings.

This friendship also leads to joy, a key message in the readings. Obeying Jesus’ command to love brings true joy and peace, which strengthens our friendship with Him and with one another. The apostles’ example in Acts shows this bond of friendship as they work together to lead the Church. They support one another and stay united by listening to the Holy Spirit.

Friendship with Christ is not only a gift but also a calling. Jesus invites us into a relationship that grows as we practice love and faithfulness in our lives. On Friday of the 5th Week of Easter, we can reflect on how our friendship with Christ can deepen, helping us become better friends to others, and spreading His love in all we do.

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Friday of the 5th Week of Easter reminds us that following Christ brings us together, helps us love more deeply, and strengthens our friendship with Him. The unity of the apostles and the love of Jesus invite us to live with purpose, leaning on the Holy Spirit and trusting in Christ’s friendship. By living out these values, we grow closer to Christ and to each other.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to live with love as You did. Give us a spirit of unity and guide us with the Holy Spirit in all we do. May we always find joy in loving and serving each other as You taught us. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I better listen to the Holy Spirit in my daily decisions?
• What does it mean to love others as Jesus loved?
• In what ways can I deepen my friendship with Christ?
• How can I practice unity and cooperation in my relationships and community?

Word on Fire: True Friendship with Jesus

In his reflection for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter, Bishop Robert Barron explains that Jesus calls His followers friends, offering a unique kind of love. True friendship means seeing each other at our worst and loving anyway, as Jesus did through His death and resurrection.

Despite humanity’s rejection, Jesus returned in forgiving love, showing us that friendship with God is real and unbreakable. This friendship brings us into a new life with Him, confirmed through the Paschal Mystery, where God’s love stays constant even when we fail.

What date is Friday of the 5th Week of Easter?

The next date is Friday May 23, 2025.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter?

The Mass readings for Friday May 23, 2025 are:
First Reading – Acts 15:22-31: A Decision in the Early Church
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 57: Proclaiming God’s Glory Among the Nations
Gospel – John 15:12-17: Called to Love as Friends of Jesus

Why do the apostles come together to make decisions in the first reading for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter?

The apostles meet together to stay united and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. They work together to lead the early Church, showing the importance of unity and prayer.

What does the Holy Spirit’s guidance mean for us?

The Holy Spirit guides the apostles in the early Church and continues to guide us today. Listening to the Holy Spirit helps us stay close to God’s will in our choices.

What is the role of unity in the Church?

The readings show the apostles working together to make decisions. Unity helps the Church stay strong, guided by the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ teachings.

Why does Jesus call us friends in the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter?

Jesus calls His followers friends because they know His teachings and follow Him willingly. Friendship with Jesus means a close relationship where we listen and try to live as He teaches.

What does it mean to love one another?

Jesus teaches His followers to love each other in the same way He loves them. This love is unselfish and caring, putting the needs of others first.

How can we experience joy through obedience?

When we follow Christ’s command to love one another, we find joy. Obedience brings peace and purpose, knowing we are living as Jesus asked.

How is sacrificial love shown in the readings?

Jesus speaks about giving His life for His friends, showing the highest form of love. We are called to love others selflessly, even if it requires giving up something for their good.

What does it mean to follow Christ’s example?

Following Christ’s example means loving, serving, and sacrificing for others. Jesus shows us how to live, and He calls us to do the same in our lives.

How can we spread Christ’s teachings?

The apostles share Christ’s teachings with new believers, encouraging unity and faithfulness. We can spread His message by sharing our faith and living His teachings in everyday actions.

How can we apply these readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter in our daily lives?

We can apply the readings by loving others, seeking unity, and being open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. By living this way, we follow Jesus’ teachings and grow closer to Him.