Daily Readings - Tue Apr 26 2022
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 readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of faith and the call to live as a community united in love and generosity. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community living in profound unity and sharing all their possessions. This was not a communism born of necessity but a radical expression of their faith in the Risen Christ. The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, testified to the Resurrection with great power, and the believers, inspired by their example, lived with open hearts and hands. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, exemplifies this generosity by selling his land and placing the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles, ensuring that no one among them was in need. This passage reminds us that true faith cannot exist in isolation; it must be lived out in community and in selfless service to others.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the mystery of being "born anew" through the Spirit. Just as the wind blows where it wills, the Spirit works in ways beyond our understanding, bringing new life to those who open their hearts to it. Jesus emphasizes that this spiritual rebirth is not merely an intellectual understanding but a profound transformation that allows us to see and experience the heavenly things God has in store for us. The exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus also highlights the importance of trusting in God’s plan, even when it surpasses human comprehension. The reference to the bronze serpent lifted by Moses in the desert points to the ultimate act of salvation: the lifting up of the Son of Man on the cross, through which eternal life is offered to all who believe.
These readings are deeply connected. The early Christian community in Acts was only able to live in such radical unity and generosity because they had been transformed by the Spirit, born anew through their encounter with the Risen Christ. Their way of life was a living testament to the power of the Gospel. For us today, these readings call us to examine our own lives. Are we living as people transformed by the Spirit, or are we still clinging to our old ways of thinking and being? Do we trust in God’s plan enough to let go of our attachments and live with open hearts and hands? The moral lesson is clear: faith in Christ is not merely a private affair but a call to live in communion with others, sharing our resources and our lives in love. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to renew us, to inspire us to live with the same generosity and unity as the early Church, and to trust in the heavenly things God promises.