Have you ever had one of those days where you just felt completely "at home"? Maybe it was sitting on a porch with a cup of coffee, or perhaps it was a quiet moment in a church pew after a long week. There’s a certain peace that comes when we stop rushing and simply exist in a space where we know we are welcome.

Today, as we reflect on the readings for Thursday, May 7, 2026, we are invited into that very sense of "home", but on a much deeper, spiritual level. The Word of God today talks to us about "abiding." It’s a beautiful, slightly old-fashioned word that essentially means to stay, to dwell, and to make oneself at home in the love of Jesus.

At The Pontifical Mission Societies, we see this "abiding" in action every single day through our global missions. But before we look outward to the world, let’s look inward at what the Lord is saying to our hearts through today’s scripture.

Breaking Down the Barriers

In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 15:7-21), we find the early Church at a massive crossroads. There was a big debate about who was "in" and who was "out." Some people thought that to follow Jesus, you had to follow all the old, complex cultural rules of the past.

But Peter stands up and says something revolutionary. He reminds the assembly that God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles just as He did to the apostles. He says, "He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts."

This is the foundational "welcome" of the Gospel. God doesn’t have a "favorites" list based on our background, our language, or our past. His grace is a universal gift. Peter challenges the leaders: "Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?"

In our own lives, we sometimes do this, don't we? We create "yokes" for ourselves and others. We tell ourselves we aren't "holy enough" to talk to God, or we judge others because they don’t express their faith exactly the way we do. But the message today is clear: God’s love breaks those barriers. If we want to "abide" in Him, we have to let go of the walls we build between "us" and "them."

A Mission for Every Nation

This theme of universal welcome flows right into today’s Psalm. We are called to "proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations."

As a Catholic (which literally means "universal") people, we are a missionary Church by our very nature. Our faith isn't a secret treasure meant to be locked in a vault; it’s a light meant to be set on a hill. When we experience the love of God, the natural response is to want others to feel it, too.

Whether we are supporting missions abroad or simply being a witness of kindness to our neighbor, we are fulfilling that call to "sing to the Lord a new song." Every time we help a stranger or support the growth of the Church in a distant land, we are telling the world that God's love is for everyone.

What Does it Mean to "Abide"?

In the Gospel (John 15:9-11), Jesus gives us the "how-to" for this spiritual life. He uses the word "remain" (or in some translations, "abide").

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love."

Think about that for a second. Jesus isn't asking us to visit His love for an hour on Sunday. He isn't asking us to check in with His love only when things are going wrong. He is asking us to remain there. To stay tucked into that love like a child stays close to a parent in a crowded place.

But how do we stay there? Jesus tells us: "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love."

Now, sometimes we hear the word "commandments" and we think of a list of "don’ts." But for Jesus, the commandments are the guardrails that keep us on the path of love. They aren't there to restrict us; they are there to protect the relationship. When we choose honesty, purity, kindness, and sacrifice, we are choosing the environment where love can grow. We stay "plugged in" to the source of life.

The Reward is Joy

The most beautiful part of this Gospel passage is the reason Jesus gives for all of this. He doesn't say, "Do this so I can control you." He says:

"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete."

God doesn't just want us to be "good" people who follow rules. He wants us to be joyful people. There is a huge difference between the fleeting happiness the world offers and the "complete joy" that Jesus promises. Worldly happiness depends on things going our way. Christian joy depends on knowing we are loved by the Creator of the universe, no matter what.

When we abide in Him, we carry a sense of peace that doesn't make sense to the world. We can have "complete joy" even in the middle of a struggle because we know we aren't alone.

Living the Mission: The Society of St. Peter the Apostle

This vision of a Church without distinctions, a Church where everyone is invited to abide in God's love, is exactly what we work toward at the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA).

As part of The Pontifical Mission Societies, SPA has a very specific and beautiful mission. We believe that for the Church to truly flourish in every nation, it needs "living stones", local priests and religious sisters and brothers who come from the very communities they serve.

When Peter said God "made no distinction," he paved the way for a global clergy. We don't want the Church to feel like a foreign "import" in mission lands. We want it to be home-grown.

When you support the formation of seminarians in mission territories, you are helping young men like those studying in places across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to say "yes" to God’s call. These future priests will be the ones to offer the Sacraments, preach the Word, and help their own people "remain" in the love of Christ.

By helping them, you are breaking down barriers. You are ensuring that there is a "local voice" proclaiming God's marvelous deeds in every language. Your partnership helps "complete the joy" of these young men as they prepare to spend their lives in service to the Gospel.

A Moment for Reflection

As we go about our day today, let’s take a moment to sit with these words from Jesus. Here are a few ways you can practice "abiding" right now:

• Be Still: Spend five minutes in silence. Don't ask for anything; just sit in the awareness that God loves you as much as the Father loves the Son.
• Identify the Yokes: Are you being too hard on yourself? Are you judging someone else? Ask God to help you see people (including yourself) without "distinctions," just as He does.
• Share the Joy: Joy is contagious. How can you share a "new song" with someone today? A word of encouragement or a simple smile can be a missionary act.
• Pray for a Seminarian: Think of a young man halfway across the world studying to be a priest. Ask God to give him the grace to "abide" in his vocation so that he can eventually bring joy to his future parishioners.

Conclusion

"Sing to the Lord a new song!"

Today is a day to celebrate the fact that we are invited into the very heart of God. We don't have to earn our way in; we just have to stay there.

Thank you for being such a vital part of this global mission. Through your prayers and your generosity for the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, you are making it possible for the whole world to hear the promise of God’s love.

Let’s live out that joy today. Let’s abide in Him, and let’s help the world do the same.

For more information on how you can support our seminarians and the work of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, please visit us at www.fraugustinedejidada.org.

God bless you, and may your joy be complete!