Daily Readings - Mon Apr 20 2020
Acts
23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
John
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that 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.