How do you know if you belong to a Christ-Centered community of disciples? Well, the surest way is when facing a crisis or great difficulty! How many of your sisters and brothers will be willing to lay down their lives for you? Not in the literal sense perhaps but will be willing to do whatever it takes to help you in the situation you face. Whether it be a financial need, spiritual need, or maybe even simply taking care of your family if the need so arises? Sickness and misfortune can befall any of us, but how many of us when facing them have sisters and brothers who are ‘sons and daughters of encouragement’? Who will tend to you as their very own? As a fellow sister or brother in Christ, Children of God our loving Father?
Jesus had told us “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jn 15:13 For If we die with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him 2 Tim 2:11-12 For to die in Christ is to rise with Him.
Lord Jesus by my love let all know that I am Your disciple. Amen Alleluia
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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.
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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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