1ST READING
Sometimes I wonder whether it is true that none of the members was ever in want? Maybe this was more truly the expression of the desire of the community at the time and the strength of their commitment to share all they possibly could with their fellow Christians? Whatever the case, the call is there for us to share what we have with others in order to try and alleviate poverty and hardship from our society. How we do this is not so easy to determine. Handouts do not help change people’s overall situations; we need to build the capacity of the poor and destitute so that they can help themselves.
Acts 4:32-37
32 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. 33 With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. 36 Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, 37 sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.
P S A L M
Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5
R: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
1 The Lord is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. (R) And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. 2 Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord. (R) 5 Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. (R)
GOSPEL
It is the power of God’s love for us, manifested in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, that will transform society. All Christians have experienced the power of this love and have a moral and religious responsibility to share it with those who do not know Jesus. This ”bearing witness to the Gospel” is the animating principle of the Church, indeed of all Christian communities. When the imperative of preaching the Gospel is lost or neglected, so is the integrity of the faith and Church.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
John 3:7-15
7 Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ 8 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.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 11 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. 12 If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
think: All Christians have experienced the power of His love and have a moral and religious responsibility to share it with those who do not know Jesus.
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Leviticus 19-213
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