Daily Readings - Tue Apr 21 2020
Acts
32Then the multitude of believers were of one heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say that any of the things that he possessed were his own, but all things were common to them33And with great power, the Apostles were rendering testimony to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. And great grace was in them all34And neither was anyone among them in need. For as many as were owners of fields or houses, selling these, were bringing the proceeds of the things that they were selling35and were placing it before the feet of the Apostles. Then it was divided to each one, just as he had need36Now Joseph, who the Apostles surnamed Barnabas (which is translated as ‘son of consolation’), who was a Levite of Cyprian descent37since he had land, he sold it, and he brought the proceeds and placed these at the feet of the Apostles
John
7You 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.9Nicodemus responded and said to him, "How are these things able to be accomplished?10Jesus responded and said to him: "You are a teacher in Israel, and you are ignorant of these things11Amen, amen, I say to you, that we speak about what we know, and we testify about what we have seen. But you do not accept our testimony12If I have spoken to you about earthly things, and you have not believed, then how will you believe, if I will speak to you about heavenly things13And no one has ascended to heaven, except the one who descended from heaven: the Son of man who is in heaven14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so also must the Son of man be lifted up15so that whoever believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life
Sermon
The first reading from Acts describes the early Christian community’s remarkable unity and generosity. Believers shared all possessions, ensuring no one was in need. This selfless love was a testament to their faith in the Resurrection of Jesus, and it reflected the grace and power of God at work among them. The example of Barnabas, who sold his land to support the community, highlights the transformative power of living for others in response to God’s love.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the necessity of being “born anew” by the Spirit. He explains that the Spirit works mysteriously, and spiritual rebirth is not about human effort but about surrendering to God’s grace. Jesus then connects this spiritual truth to his own mission, emphasizing that belief in him is essential for eternal life. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent to save the people, Jesus must be lifted up on the cross to save humanity.
Together, these readings remind us that faith is not just about words or ideas but about living in a way that reflects God’s love and generosity. The early Christians showed that belief in the Resurrection leads to radical love and selflessness. Similarly, Jesus calls us to trust in him and his plan, even when it seems mysterious or difficult to understand. Let us ask for the grace to live with open hearts, trusting in God’s Spirit to guide us and transform us. May our lives reflect the love and generosity that flow from being born anew in Christ.