Daily Readings - Tue Apr 18 2023
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 readings today offer us a powerful reflection on unity, generosity, and the transformative power of faith. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community living in remarkable harmony and generosity. The believers shared everything they had, ensuring that no one was in need. This was not just a practical arrangement but a spiritual one, rooted in their deep trust in God and their commitment to living as followers of Christ. The text highlights Joseph, known as Barnabas, who sold his land and placed the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles, embodying the selfless love and unity of the community.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the necessity of being "born anew" by the Spirit. Jesus explains that just as the Spirit moves freely, so too must our lives be open to the Spirit's work within us. He uses the image of the bronze serpent lifted up in the desert—a foreshadowing of his own crucifixion—to illustrate how belief in him leads to eternal life. This passage reminds us that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a radical trust in God's plan, even when it surpasses our understanding.
These readings are deeply connected. The unity and generosity of the early Christian community in Acts are the fruit of the Spirit at work in their lives, the same Spirit Jesus speaks of in the Gospel. To be "born anew" means living in such a way that our lives reflect God's love and generosity. Today, we are called to trust in God's plan, to be open to the Spirit's movement, and to live with the same selfless love and unity that defined the early Church. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of our attachments and trust in God's providence? Are we living in a way that reflects the transformative power of the Spirit? May we strive to be communities of love, generosity, and faith, bearing witness to the eternal life offered through Christ.