Daily Readings - Mon Apr 29 2019
Acts
23Then, having been released, they went to their own, and they reported in full what the leaders of the priests and the elders had said to them24And when they had heard it, with one accord, they lifted up their voice to God, and they said: "Lord, you are the One who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them25who, by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said: ‘Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense26The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, against the Lord and against his Christ.27For truly Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, joined together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointe28to do what your hand and your counsel had decreed would be done29And now, O Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants that they may speak your word with all confidence30by extending your hand in cures and signs and miracles, to be done through the name of your holy Son, Jesus.31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was moved. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they were speaking the Word of God with confidence
John
1Now there was a man among the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews2He went to Jesus at night, and he said to him: "Rabbi, we know that you have arrived as a teacher from God. For no one would be able to accomplish these signs, which you accomplish, unless God were with him.3Jesus responded and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one has been reborn anew, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.4Nicodemus said to him: "How could a man be born when he is old? Surely, he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be reborn?5Jesus responded: "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one has been reborn by water and the Holy Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit7You should not be amazed that I said to you: You must be born anew8The Spirit inspires where he wills. And you hear his voice, but you do not know where he comes from, or where he is going. So it is with all who are born of the Spirit.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John both invite us to reflect on the power of the Holy Spirit and the transformative nature of faith. In Acts, after being released from captivity, the early Christians gather to pray, seeking courage and strength to continue their mission despite threats and persecution. Their prayer is not one of fear or retreat but of boldness and trust in God’s plan. They recognize that the same Spirit who anointed Jesus is at work in them, enabling them to speak God’s word with confidence and to perform signs and wonders in His name. This passage reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not a passive presence but an active force that equips us to live out our faith with courage and purpose.
In the Gospel, Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus introduces the concept of being “born anew” by water and the Holy Spirit. Nicodemus struggles to understand how someone can be reborn physically, but Jesus shifts the focus to the spiritual rebirth that comes through the Spirit. This teaching emphasizes that our faith is not merely about outward observances but about an inner transformation that reorients our lives toward God. Just as the wind blows where it wills, the Spirit works in ways we cannot fully understand or control, but we can trust in its power to bring new life and direction to our lives.
These readings remind us that the Holy Spirit is both the source of our courage in the face of challenges and the agent of our spiritual rebirth. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain or difficult. Like the early Christians, we can pray for the Spirit’s boldness to witness to our faith and to serve others with compassion. And like Nicodemus, we are invited to embrace the mystery of spiritual rebirth, allowing the Spirit to inspire us, guide us, and transform us. May we open our hearts to the Spirit’s work, trusting that God’s power is always at work in us, even when we cannot see it.