Fifth Week of Easter

Readings
First Scripture Reading
Acts 15: 22-31
Gospel Reading
John 15: 12-17

Opening Prayer

Freeing, Self-Emptying God, in Jesus we experience the depth of your love for us. Transform us so that we can live from the love of Your Heart and free people in the power of Your Spirit. I am awed and humbled by the absolute generosity of your love for me – and for all of us! Thank you! Give us the freedom of your first followers, so that we choose freedom for others – and not place unnecessary burdens on them in their journey to you. With great struggle they had to let go of laws long held sacred. Teach us to let go of what is unnecessary and not unduly oppress others. Your message is not one of suffering and sorrow, but one of life, joy and freedom. InSpirit us with the same Spirit Who inspired their openness to the Gentiles, so that we might be more open to people we don’t understand, whose motives we misjudge, or whose differences threaten or stretch us. Free us so that we do not burden them with the oppression of our insecurity and darkness.

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