You know when communities are truly alive and active in the faith based on their generosity especially when it comes to members in need. I’ve witnessed this first hand. Here are a few examples. During covid at least two families were stricken. Both had food, drink and necessities delivered to their home by fellow members. When two members struggled with funeral expenses the rest rallied to raise funds to send to them. There are many other such heroics acts of mercy. So it does not mean that we literally have to sell all that we have to support our communities. We can all do our small acts of kindness for love of one another.
I love what Jesus says in today’s Gospel 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.’’
Just last week I spoke with brother who was not yet baptised but was journeying with us through ‘A Life Worth Living Series’ I told him, you cannot see the wind but you can feel it when it blows right? What if I told you that Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart right now, the handle of the door to your heart is on the inside and only you can let Him in. Would you want to let Him in? Can I pray for you right now to feel His presence? He answered Yes! After I prayed over him, I asked if he felt the presence of Jesus. He beamed and told me He did! Praise the Lord! Let him through a simple prayer of repentance and inviting Jesus to be His Lord above all. 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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