Daily Readings - Tue Apr 10 2018
Acts
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
John
7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts paints a vivid picture of the early Christian community, where believers shared everything in common, living with one heart and one soul. This was not a communism born of ideology but a radical expression of faith and love. The Apostles testified to the Resurrection with great power, and the community was marked by generosity and care for one another. No one was in need because those who had resources sold their lands and placed the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles, who distributed them according to need. This passage highlights the transformative power of living as children of God, where possessions are seen as gifts to be shared for the common good.
The Gospel reading from John continues the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee, about the mystery of being "born anew." Jesus explains that this rebirth is not physical but spiritual, a work of the Holy Spirit who moves freely. Just as the wind blows where it wills, so too does the Spirit inspire and transform. Jesus then connects this spiritual rebirth to the ultimate act of salvation: the Son of Man being "lifted up" like the bronze serpent in the desert, so that all who believe in him may have eternal life. This passage invites us to trust in God’s plan of salvation and to embrace the gift of new life offered through faith in Christ.
These readings are deeply connected. The early Christian community in Acts is a living expression of what it means to be "born anew" and to live by the Spirit. Their radical generosity and unity were not just social experiments but fruits of their faith in the Risen Lord. For us today, these readings challenge us to examine how we live out our faith. Are we willing to let go of our attachments and share our resources with others? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when it seems mysterious or difficult to understand? The moral lesson is clear: true life comes from living as children of God, trusting in his love, and caring for one another as he cares for us. Let us ask for the grace to be born anew and to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of the Spirit.