In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples to love their enemies: those who are outside their circle, those who are non-Israelites, even those who persecute them (5:43- 47).

In John, the focus is the disciples: that they love one another and what they, in their mutual relations, can and should mean to outsiders, to the world: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (13:35).

The newness of the Christian love-commandment is thus seen in its degree or intensity and its scope that includes “nonfriends” or outsiders. It is also to be found in the context and spirit with which the commandment is given: intimacy, service, mutual knowledge, giving of life. These are the characteristics of the “new covenant” that is established at the Last Supper. These are the characteristics of the love of Jesus who is the measure of this love-commandment:

“As I have loved you, so also you should love one another” (Jn 13:34). By their mutual love and service, the disciples evoke the image of Jesus in his self-sacrificial love for all, including sinners and outsiders.

The choice of Matthias to replace Judas is made to fill in his office as member of the Twelve, the pillars of the “new Israel” which is composed of the believers in Jesus. The community is to continue its mission to witness to the love of Jesus that makes the believers his friends.

First Reading

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry.

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it and may another take his office. Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”

Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 113

“The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.” or “Alleluia.”

Gospel • John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

“I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.