Monday, April 8, 2024

09-APL-'24, Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter


Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

Lectionary: 268


Reading 1

Acts 4:32-37

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,

and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,

but they had everything in common.

With great power the Apostles bore witness

to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,

and great favor was accorded them all.

There was no needy person among them,

for those who owned property or houses would sell them,

bring the proceeds of the sale,

and put them at the feet of the Apostles,

and they were distributed to each according to need.


Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas

(which is translated "son of encouragement"),

a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,

sold a piece of property that he owned,

then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.


Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5

R. (1a) The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R. Alleluia.


The LORD is king, in splendor robed;

robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R. Alleluia.


And he has made the world firm,

not to be moved.

Your throne stands firm from of old;

from everlasting you are, O LORD.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R. Alleluia.


Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:

holiness befits your house,

O LORD, for length of days.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

or:

R. Alleluia.


Alleluia

John 3:14-15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Son of Man must be lifted up,

so that everyone who believes in him

may have eternal life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel

John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

"'You must be born from above.'

The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes,

but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;

so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Nicodemus answered and said to him,

'How can this happen?"

Jesus answered and said to him,

"You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?

Amen, amen, I say to you,

we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen,

but you people do not accept our testimony.

If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe,

how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

No one has gone up to heaven

except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,

so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."


Reflection 1

Catholic Daily Reflections 


A “Holy Push”


Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.”  John 3:9–11


As we reflected upon yesterday, Nicodemus is one of the only Pharisees who ultimately converted, became a follower of Jesus, and is today considered a saint. The only other Pharisees who were recorded by name as converts to Christianity were Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Acts 15:5 also indicates that some other Pharisees ultimately converted.


When the many encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees are considered as a whole, it’s clear that there was great resistance among them toward Jesus and His teaching. They were constantly seeking to trap Him and, of course, ultimately were responsible for His death, along with other leading religious leaders from the Sanhedrin. For that reason, it’s easy to understand that there must have been great pressure upon all the Pharisees to reject Jesus. Each one of them would have felt the power of peer pressure to act in accord with the general view of Jesus’ condemnation. This is the context of this passage above in which Nicodemus questions Jesus. This passage continues yesterday’s Gospel conversation in which Jesus says clearly to Nicodemus that the way to Heaven is to be “born from above.” Nicodemus questions how one can “be born again,” and then Jesus issues this apparent criticism of Him quoted above.


It’s helpful to understand that Jesus’ criticism was not a condemnation of Nicodemus. It was not in the tone of His normal “Woe to you…” statements; rather, it was a gentle but very direct challenge to Nicodemus so as to move him from his questions to faith. And that’s the key. Nicodemus did not come to Jesus to trap and condemn Him like the other Pharisees did. Nicodemus came because he was confused. And most likely, he was confused because he felt great peer pressure from his fellow Pharisees to condemn Jesus.


Understanding this context should help us understand not only the goodness and courage of Nicodemus but also the loving boldness of Jesus. Jesus knew that Nicodemus was open. He knew that Nicodemus could be won over. But Jesus also knew that Nicodemus needed to be challenged in a direct and firm way. He needed a bit of a “holy push” so as to enter into the gift of faith. Of course, Jesus’ challenge ultimately won Nicodemus over.


Reflect, today, upon any way in which you, too, need a “holy push” from our Lord. What form of worldly pressure do you experience in life? Do friends, neighbors, family members or co-workers impose upon you in some way a peer pressure that is contrary to the life of true holiness? If so, ponder the ultimate courage of Nicodemus, Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Let their witness inspire you and allow our Lord to challenge you where you need it the most so that you, too, will receive the “holy push” that you need to be a more faithful follower of Jesus.


Reflection 2

One Bread, One Body


ARE YOU A HOUSE-HOLDER?


“All who owned property or houses sold them and donated the proceeds.” —Acts 4:34


We followers of Jesus are called to use what we have for His Kingdom. Some are called to keep their house, but to share it for evangelization. Examples of this could be to use the house to host a home-based community or to feed the poor. St. Lydia used her house as the base of the home Church in Philippi (Acts 16:15, 40). Others might be called to simplify their lifestyle by selling their home, downsizing, and donating some or all of the proceeds to the Church or another ministry. St. Barnabas is an example of this (Acts 4:37).


It’s vital to discern the particular call of God in our lives. Our possessions belong not to us, but to the Lord (Rm 14:8). We are temporary stewards of His property, servants of the Master of the Kingdom and His people. Jesus calls us to use our goods for His purposes (see Lk 16:9).


Are you a house-holder? That is, are you holding on to your house as a tax-shelter or to build up your equity? Place your house in the hands of the Lord. He may tell you to keep it and use it for His Kingdom. We are called to store up treasure in heaven, not on this earth (Mt 6:20). “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Ps 127:1). Jesus stands knocking at the door of your house (Rv 3:20). He wants your house to be full for Him (Lk 14:23). Make a home that welcomes the Lord and opens up to Him (see Rv 3:20).


Prayer:  Jesus, be the Lord of every detail of my life.


Promise:  “The community of believers were of one heart and one mind.” —Acts 4:32


Praise:  Jim’s mother developed Alzheimer’s. He and his wife Kate prayed about how to care for her. They sold their home and moved in with his mother, to supply years of loving, in-home care for her. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.


Reflection 3

Shared from God's Word


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. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 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 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.


Prayers

My Lord of all strength, You are unwavering in Your determination to challenge me in the area that I need it the most. Help me to receive Your gentle rebukes of love when I am weak so that I will have the courage and strength I need to be a faithful follower of You. Give me clarity and understanding, dear Lord, and help me to overcome the misleading pressures of the world. Jesus, I trust in You.


Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life for us. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk in freedom and joy in the knowledge of your great victory over sin and death.


Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy


Reflection 99: The Scourge of Sin

Why was it that Jesus suffered as He did?  Why did He receive such a severe scourging?  Why was His death so painful?  Because sin has consequences and is the source of great pain.  But Jesus’ voluntary and sinless embrace of suffering transformed human suffering so that it now has the power to purge us and free us from sin and all attachment to sin (See Diary #445).


Do you realize that the extreme pain and suffering Jesus went through was on account of your own sin?  It’s important to acknowledge that humbling fact.  It’s important to see a direct connection between His suffering and your sin.  But this should not be a cause of guilt or shame, it should be a cause of gratitude.  Deep humility and gratitude.


Lord, I thank You for all that You endured in Your holy Passion.  I thank You for Your suffering and Cross.  I thank You for redeeming suffering and transforming it into a source of salvation.  Help me to allow the sufferings I endure to change my life and purge me of my sin.  I unite my sufferings to Yours, dear Lord, and pray that You will use it for Your glory.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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