Daily Readings - Mon Apr 20 2020
Acts
23When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.24And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,25who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?26The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'--27for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.29And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
John
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."3Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."4Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"5Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.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."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound encounters with the Holy Spirit, each highlighting its transformative power in the lives of believers. The first reading from Acts describes the early Christian community praying for boldness and strength after facing persecution. Their prayer is rooted in faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His plan through the Holy Spirit. This prayer leads to a renewed outpouring of the Spirit, empowering them to speak God's word with confidence and courage. The second reading from John features Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, where He explains the necessity of being "born anew" through water and the Spirit. This spiritual rebirth is not a physical transformation but a divine act that renews the heart and mind, allowing one to enter the Kingdom of God.
Both readings emphasize the Holy Spirit's essential role in the life of believers. In Acts, the Spirit empowers the disciples to witness boldly despite opposition, while in John, the Spirit brings about a new spiritual life. This connection underscores the Spirit's dual role: as a source of strength for mission and as the agent of inner transformation. The early Christians' prayer and Nicodemus' dialogue with Jesus remind us that the Spirit's work is both communal and personal, binding us together in faith while individually transforming our hearts.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to trust in the Holy Spirit's power in our own lives. Like the early Christians, we may face challenges that require boldness and courage, and like Nicodemus, we may encounter moments where we need to embrace spiritual renewal. The moral lesson here is the importance of openness to the Spirit's work. Whether we are seeking strength to face trials or a deeper transformation of our inner lives, the Holy Spirit is ever-present, guiding us and empowering us to live as children of God. Let us, therefore, approach each day with a willingness to be led by the Spirit, trusting in God's plan and allowing His grace to flow through us.