It is indeed great and wonderful if we can have a group of believers united, heart and soul in everything. But this is not always the case is it?….For instance, if you we want to have a food drive and plan to pack and distribute food packages to the poor in the community. If everyone were focussed on Christ Jesus our Lord and single minded in serving the poor alone will there be squabbles among one another on who is in charge? Or who will take charge and be responsible? How heavy an individual package is? Will we be slip shod in our calculations, communications and handling of the packages? Will we make it difficult for one another because of disagreements? Will there be issues with timings and availability? Or even access to perform the works? Yes for every good work that needs to be done the evil one is lurking to sow discord and disharmony! All the more we must remain steadfast in Christ Jesus our Lord, to pray constantly and lift one another up in prayer. To be humble in all our dealings with one another and our endeavours.
We who are born in the Spirit through our baptism and confirmation must surely know that we have been inserted into the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And therefore we strive for Holiness and unity for we are One Body in Him. For just as He was lifted high upon the Cross to save us; we too must likewise be willing to give our all for Him and one another. To die to ourselves so as to be raised through, with and in Him. Amen Alleluia!
First reading
Acts 4:32-37 ·
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.
The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect.
None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.
There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and presented it to the apostles.
Gospel
John 3:7-15
No-one has gone up to heaven except the Son of Man who has come down from heaven
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
‘Do not be surprised when I say:
You must be born from above.
The wind blows wherever it pleases;
you hear its sound,
but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’
‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
we speak only about what we know
and witness only to what we have seen
and yet you people reject our evidence.
If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world,
how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things?
No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who came down from heaven,
the Son of Man who is in heaven;
and the Son of Man must be lifted up
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’
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