St. Anselm, bishop & doctor 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 4: 32-37

The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind.

No one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but rather they shared all things in common.   With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale.   And they laid it at the feet of the apostles who distributed it according to each one’s need.   This is what a certain Joseph did. He was a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barna­bas, meaning: “The encouraging one.”   He sold a field which he owned and handed the money to the apostles.

 

Ps 93: 1ab, 1cd-2, 5

The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 3:7b-15

 Because of this, don’t be surprised when I say: ‘You must be born again from above.’

 The wind blows where it pleases and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

 Nicodemus asked again, “How can this be?”  And Jesus answered, “You are a teacher in Israel, and you don’t know these things!

 Truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we witness to the things we have seen, but you don’t accept our testimony.   If you don’t believe when I speak of earthly things, what then, when I speak to you of heavenly things?   No one has ever gone up to heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man.

 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,   so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

 

Gospel Reflection：

The first reading gives us a small glimpse into the life of the early Christian community. We are told of how they lived a common life, laying what they possessed “ at the feet of the apostles” in order that they may live guided only by their faith in Jesus Christ. Similarly, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus in the gospel reading of the importance of living in faith, of believing in him so that one may have eternal life.

“We walk by faith and not by sight”. So goes a hymn sometimes sung in church. The fact that the early members of the Christian community put their worldly goods at the feet of the apostles in order that they may live the common life – as a family of believers –speaks to the strength of their faith and trust in the promise of Christ.

There are times when the cares of the world lead us to become worried, anxious, even fearful of what tomorrow brings. The experience of the first Christian community is an encouragement for us: for one who believes, there is nothing to fear, especially not the future. All things are in God’s hands.