Second Week of Easter
18th April 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 4:32-37
32 Now 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. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There 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 sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 R.(1a)
R/. Blessed are all who trust in you, o Lord. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 3:7-15
‘You must be born again.’ 8 The 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.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, 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. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: A Contrast spirit!
Indicative: Those who are reborn will rise above{alertSuccess}
1. The effect of the risen Lord is a new birth. Concretely, it will lead to a new life that rises above the earthly realm. Those who experience the risen Lord will receive great power and great favour. They will bear witness to this new life, welling up to eternal life.
2. They will live a life that is in contrast to the spirit of the world. This is what is seen in the early Christian community. They were of one mind and heart in contrast to the divisive spirit of the world.
3. They had a collective spirit in contrast to the ego-centred spirit of the world. They had no spirit of privatisation and no claim for private property. Instead, they had everything in common. In contrast to the spirit of hoarding and accumulation, they were detached and ready to dispossess their belongings.
4. In contrast to greed and excessive craving for profit and gain, they had the spirit of generosity and sharing, so that there was no one in need. This was not just a material matter. It was truly a matter of a changed life, a new life, transformed by the risen Lord. It was a total change that affected the whole life and person and had a deep impact on the community as well.
Imperative: Person and community are two separate and exclusive entities. One affects and changes the other. Good people make a good community. And a good community helps to make good persons{alertSuccess}