Meditation for Friday, May 7 2010 Lectionary # 289

Scripture: May 7, 2010. Lectionary # 289. Acts 15:22-31. Psalm
57:8-9,10-12.John 15:12-17:

Is your heart steadfast in singing and praising the Lord? We can motivate
ourselves by having this psalm in our heart. The psalmist is showing his
unconditional trust in the Lord because the Lord has showered mercy,
compassion, and truthful words of promise. The composer gives us a
"ritormello" in the verses of the second part of his hymn of praise to God.
It encourages us to join in song and praise because of God's love and
faithfulness. In fact, the Talmud tells us "that a harp hung above David's
couch, and when the North wind touched its strings at midnight, producing
sweet music, he arose to occupy himself with the study of the Torah."
We do well in our personal prayer to sing and to overcome our troubles and
negative feelings by focusing on the positive verses given to us from this
psalm. We show our own love and confidence in God' presence and feel God's
protection.

Taken with the Gospel message for today we put our faith in the Person of
Jesus and also show our love by paying into to the little things demanded
of us in our relationships with our neighbors and friends. Love pays
attention to giving a greeting, showing a smile, willingness to help
someone, gentle and patient listening, and just being silent in the
presence of someone who needs support. Our ministry is rendered fruitful
by such little things and they may even be the more important component of
that ministry that the Lord gives us for this day. Jesus insists on
calling us friends and not just servants or disciples (learners and
followers). He tells us this at his most important farewell discourse:
"Instead I call you friends since I have made known to you all that I heard
from my Father...This is the command I give to you: that you love one
another."

Our first reading shows us the joy and enthusiasm that the Gentiles have
after reading the first ecumenical encyclical from the Jerusalem Council.
Thanksgiving and love are found in the psalm and the Gospel as themes for
our meditation and prayer. Amen. Alleluia.