＊＊＊ 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 Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.

 

Ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-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：

Nicodemus is a genuine searcher of the truth. Despite the limitation of his being a high official of the Jews and a Pharisee as well, he still goes to see Jesus in the cover of darkness to inquire sincerely.

At first Nicodemus could not understand. He thinks literally while Jesus points to a deeper truth than words could convey. Thus there will be a series of nightly conversations between Jesus and Nicodemus so that the latter’s thirst for truth would be quenched.

In the cover of darkness, truth begins to shine. Friendship is formed. Nicodemus later will stand for Jesus in his own way and save Jesus’ body from further degradation on the cross.