Readings: Acts 4:23-31, Ps. 2:1-9, John 3:1-8
“When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)
- Today, our first reading continues the story of how the Pharisees, the chief priests and religious leaders of the day tried to stop Peter and John from proclaiming the Gospel after the cripple had been healed. As soon as Peter and John were released and united with their friends, believers gathered to pray so much that the ground they stood on was shaken.
- Anytime we reflect on the earliest Christian communities, as we have them in the Acts of the Apostles, we cannot help but feel sad at the situation in our churches today. The principle at work back then was: “When one member suffers, all suffer with him or her.” Does this principle still operate in our churches today? Do we still gather to pray for ourselves? Or have we become too busy to pray? Do we still have faith in the power of prayer?
- In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus reveals some of the secrets of the spiritual life to Nicodemus: “Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God…. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God; that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” This means that we live in the flesh or the spirit.
- When we live solely in the flesh, spiritual things do not make sense. We may call ourselves Christians, but prayer becomes difficult as long as the flesh rules us. We need to sincerely ask God to revive us and reawaken us spiritually, just like these early Christians, who were practically set on fire for the Gospel.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, revive our drooping spirits, fill us with the Holy Spirit that we may continue being instruments of your service. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of the 2nd week of Eastertide, Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Acts 4:23-31, Ps. 2:1-9, John 3:1-8).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu