Daily Readings - Tue Apr 10 2018
Acts
32Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.33And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold35and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.36Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,37sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
John
7Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"10Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?11Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?13No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts paints a vivid picture of the early Christian community, where believers shared everything in common, living with one heart and one soul. This was not a communism born of ideology but a radical expression of faith and love. The Apostles testified to the Resurrection with great power, and the community was marked by generosity and care for one another. No one was in need because those who had resources sold their lands and placed the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles, who distributed them according to need. This passage highlights the transformative power of living as children of God, where possessions are seen as gifts to be shared for the common good.
The Gospel reading from John continues the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee, about the mystery of being "born anew." Jesus explains that this rebirth is not physical but spiritual, a work of the Holy Spirit who moves freely. Just as the wind blows where it wills, so too does the Spirit inspire and transform. Jesus then connects this spiritual rebirth to the ultimate act of salvation: the Son of Man being "lifted up" like the bronze serpent in the desert, so that all who believe in him may have eternal life. This passage invites us to trust in God’s plan of salvation and to embrace the gift of new life offered through faith in Christ.
These readings are deeply connected. The early Christian community in Acts is a living expression of what it means to be "born anew" and to live by the Spirit. Their radical generosity and unity were not just social experiments but fruits of their faith in the Risen Lord. For us today, these readings challenge us to examine how we live out our faith. Are we willing to let go of our attachments and share our resources with others? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when it seems mysterious or difficult to understand? The moral lesson is clear: true life comes from living as children of God, trusting in his love, and caring for one another as he cares for us. Let us ask for the grace to be born anew and to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of the Spirit.