ONE HEART AND SOUL…

Acts 4:32-37 
32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.36 Thus Joseph a Levite who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which means, Son of encouragement) a native of Cyprus,37 sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet

John 3:7-15 
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.”9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?”
10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

MEDITATION 

St LUKE report that this newly formed borne anew people of the way were imputable to the movement of the truine God who graced them with virtuous benevolent kind-hearted charity, in response to the testimonies of the Apostles, so they could build up and establish the Church, the throne of God, to feed the soul, hearts and minds of the afflicted, poor and needy!

THE GOSPEL READING: Confused and astonished by Christ’s stipulation that he must be borne anew by the gift of the Holy Spirit who has no boundaries, Nicodemus an astute teacher of the law could not connect the dots untill Christ recalled the occasion when Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert (Num 21:8), so the sinful people could adore God who descended from heaven to heal man from their many afflictions!

Christ foretold that His scourging, crucifixion and death is not a penal substitution for man’s sins, however it is a work of love whereby God in His abundant mercy shall sanctify and reconcile man to Him in baptism. Baptism is a once off foundational Sacrament that must meet the Magisterial decree as set down in Canon 834 and onwards, for it remove the sins of Adam and Eve, robing and girthing us with God’s benevolent love, faith, hope, charity, courage and holiness with an undivided heart and soul. Finally, when the priest lift up the broken body of Christ in the Sacrifice of the Mass, we must look up and adore Him who offered up His life for us!

LET US PRAY:Psalms 93:1-2

1 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength. Yea, the world is established; it shall never be moved;2 thy throne is established from of old; thou art from everlasting.Thy decrees are very sure; holiness befits thy house, O LORD, for evermore.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.