The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life - Daily Bible Readings April 14,2015

1ST READING   Wouldn’t it be great if all Christians acted with one heart and one mind? This has to be the goal of ecumenism as the division between the various Christian denominations is a complete and utter scandal. Let us do everything we can and constantly pray for unity among Christians. Let us start with the truths and works we hold in common and share them.   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   The Holy Spirit works like the wind. Wind blows into every nook and cranny of a place and pushes out all the stale and fetid air. This is what the Holy Spirit desires to do in our lives – root out all of the sin and drive it away. Let us help the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.   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 tohim, “How can this happen?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 11Amen, 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: Let us help the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: __________________   ____________________________________   God’s special verse/thought for me today_ _____________________________________   READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Leviticus 25-27