Daily Readings - Tue Apr 21 2020
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 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.