"THE LORD HAS COMMANDED US TO SHUN EVIL AND DO GOOD,

BUT NOT TO REJECT THE GOOD WITH THE EVIL

WE ARE NOT TO DENY AT THE SAME TIME BOTH TRUTH AND ERROR."

                                                                   - Saint Martin

 

＊＊＊ 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 ：

Being born again.

Being "born again" is not merely a theological concept

but a foundational necessity for entering the kingdom of God, as emphasized in John 3:3.

This spiritual rebirth signifies a transformative relationship with Christ,

shedding the old self and embracing new life through the Holy Spirit.

It is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing journey of renewal,

repentance, and submission to God's will.

 

For Christians, this calling faces numerous challenges.

In a world driven by materialism, individualism, and relativism,

staying anchored in faith and values can feel countercultural.

The distractions of modern life-social media, societal pressures,

and increasingly secular culture-complicate the journey of fully surrendering

to God and nurturing profound spiritual growth. Furthermore,

misunderstanding the concept often reduces

"being born again" to a label rather than a lived reality.

 

However, the struggles remind us that being born again involves actively participating in God's grace,

striving daily to reflect Christ's love and truth amidst life's challenges. Amen.