THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Acts 4:32-37

Ps 93

John 3:7-15

One in Heart and Soul

Dear friends in Christ, the early Christians were known for their love and generosity. They shared their goods in common just as they shared a common faith. What is the real unifying factor in a peaceful home and society today?

Our Gospel passage today from John 3:7-15 provides an answer—“You must be born anew.” This was in answer to Nicodemus who had asked Jesus what he needed to do, to be saved. When Nicodemus probed further on what this means, Jesus told him, “Are you a teacher in Israel and yet do not understand this?… No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the son of Man. And as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” To be born anew demands faith in Jesus—the rebirth through the waters of Baptism is a sacrament that marks a re-birth from the life of the earthly man, which we inherited from Adam. Anointed in Christ, one becomes a new creation, set apart on the way to salvation. Those received into this new life in Christ, are called out of the darkness of sin, into the wonderful light of God’s glory. They are expected then, to live in the world, without becoming engrossed in it. In this world and society where striving for personal survival is the norm, a Christian is called to be outstanding in living for others.

Our first reading today (Acts 4:32-37) tells us of how the early Church went about it. “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.” Worthy of note among the generous souls in this community was Joseph Barnabas (which means, son of encouragement), a Levite from Cyprus, who sold his field, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. The whole essence of that was to make sure that the poor ones in the community were provided for, from the common purse. It is unfortunate when, the powerful ones rob the poor, of even the little they have to live on. Christianity demands the proper use of material wealth. We must be seen to be contributing the best way we can, to the common purse, then we are taking out. In that way, no one will live in abject poverty. Why is it that the billions we hear of every day cannot go around? Those who have died hoarding their wealth left it all to those who care less about how it was gathered. Spend what you have to make life better for your fellow men and women. Generosity or charitable living is one of the hallmarks of being born again, as we saw in the early community of believers. What is your contribution to the commonwealth?

Let us pray: We look to you Lord, help us to be generous in our dealings with others. Amen.

+Remain blessed!