It does not matter whether or not I am killed, the religion has taken root on the island.

It will not be destroyed by my death, since it comes not from men but from God.

                                                                                                             - St. Peter Chanel

 

St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest

St. Peter Chanel, priest and martyr

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 4:23-31

As soon as Peter and John were set free,

They went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them.

 

When they heard it, they raised their voices as one, and called upon God, "Sovereign Lord,

maker of heaven and earth, of the sea and everything in them, you have put these words in the mouth of David,

our father and your servant, through the Holy Spirit: Why did the pagan nations rage and the people conspire in folly?

The kings of the earth were aligned; and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.

 

For indeed, in this very city, Herod, with Pontius Pilate and the pagans, together, with the people of Israel,

conspired against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed.

Thus, indeed, they brought about whatever your powerful will had decided, from all time, would happen.

But now, Lord, see their threats against us; and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness.

 

Stretch out your hand to heal and to work signs and wonders through the name of Jesus, your holy servant."

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together shook;

and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.

 

Ps 2:1-3, 4-6, 7-9 Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 3:1-8

Among the Pharisees there was a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus. He came to Jesus by night and said, "Rabbi,

we know that you have come from God to teach us, for no one can perform miraculous signs like yours unless God is with him."

Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again from above."

Nicodemus said, "How can there be rebirth for a grown man? Who could go back to his mother's womb and be born again?"

Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you: No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

 

What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 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."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Reflection:

"Faith is a new birth."

Faith is a new birth. It's a being "born from above." The Spirit of God works in us and moves our hearts to follow God's ways.

The Holy Spirit guides us, strengthens us and makes us holy. And so, when faith is alive,

our actions will move in tune with the Spirit. As God is love, is it clear that our actions will be more loving

if they are moved by the Spirit of God. But a loving life doesn't mean we become exempt from the envy or spiteful actions of others.

We see that even in the first community of believers.

 

They are following Christ, and they share in his rejection: "But now, Lord, see their threats against us."

Should this dissuade us from living in love? By no means! Peter Chanel, the protomartyr of the Marists,

lived among the two warring tribes on the tiny Polynesian Island of Futuna.

His life and death sowed the seeds of unity and faith among the people because they saw someone living a way of love.

They even named him "Great-Heart." Loving actions come in all shapes and sizes.

May we not be afraid, and may our hearts become great with love.