TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 3:7b-1) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“You must be born from above.” (Jn 3:7b)

FIRST READING -  Acts 4:32-37

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

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.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 3:7b-15

From the Gospel according to John

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.”

TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 3:7b-1)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today's Word of God recounts the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus at night.

Nicodemus was a leader among the Jews in the synagogue and a teacher among the people of Israel. He believed that Jesus was the Holy One who came from God the Father. He believed in the teachings of Jesus because no one could teach and perform miracles like Jesus. He believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, but he did not dare to openly confess his faith in front of people because, in his heart, he was still afraid—afraid of being excluded from the Jewish synagogue. So, he secretly came to Jesus at night to talk to Him.

Taking that opportunity, Jesus taught Nicodemus a lesson: To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must be born again. Nicodemus still did not understand. He said, "How can a man, once grown old, be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus explained to him, as well as to all people, that to enter His Kingdom of Heaven, one must be born again. That is, they must put on the new self, abandon all sins, and leave behind the filth of the world to completely put on the new self in Christ. And thanks to the Spirit of the Holy Spirit's guidance and encouragement, one must believe, live, and follow God's teachings. The words that Jesus spoke to the Jews were true. He wanted to save people, so He spoke the words that God the Father taught humanity, so that whoever heard and followed them would be saved. His testimony was true, but people did not believe it.

Today's Word of God teaches people:

-Those who look up at the cross and believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to earth and became human, died, and rose again to redeem the sins of mankind, must abandon their old sinful selves and put on the new self in Christ, the source of life. Living like this, they will receive salvation and eternal life with God the Father in Heaven.

-Whoever wants to enter His Kingdom of Heaven, must receive strength from the Holy Spirit, and live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit: that is, convert their lives, return to God, put on the new self in Christ; then one will have eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thanks be to God. Amen