Daily Readings - Tue Apr 09 2024
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 the nature of community, generosity, and the transformative power of God’s love. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community living in remarkable unity and generosity. They shared all their possessions, ensuring that no one was in need, and they placed their trust in the apostles to distribute resources according to the needs of each member. This passage paints a vivid picture of a community transformed by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, living not just as individuals but as a family united in faith and love.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the mystery of being “born anew” by the Spirit. Jesus explains that just as the wind blows where it wills, so too does the Spirit work in ways that are beyond human understanding. This exchange highlights the profound truth that spiritual rebirth is not something we can control or fully comprehend; it is a gift from God. Jesus then connects this mystery to the ultimate expression of God’s love: the Son of Man being “lifted up” for the salvation of the world, just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert to heal the people.
These readings remind us that our faith is not just about individual belief but about living in communion with others. The early Christians in Acts showed us that when we surrender our lives and resources to God’s will, we become instruments of his grace and love. Similarly, Jesus’ words to Nicodemus call us to trust in the mysterious work of the Spirit and to embrace the transformative power of God’s love. Let us strive to live with the same generosity and unity as the early Christians, and let us open our hearts to the Spirit’s movement in our lives. May we, like the Son of Man, be lifted up in love and service to others, that all may have eternal life.