The truth is, it is hard to maintain "oneness in heart and mind"

unless we are totally open to the "exceptional grace"

　" laying what they possessed “ at the feet of the apostles”

in order that they may live guided only by their faith in Jesus Christ.

 

 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.

 

Reflection:

"We are called to share."

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles narrates how the early followers of Jesus were living in an exceptional time of grace. The narration states that they were in one mind and heart in sharing things in common. No one was in need. The power of the Lord's resurrection enabled them to overcome selfishness.

 

Jesus' early disciples gave witness to an eschatological reality that had already been realized in their shared life. The life of the early Christians became an example of a life that was born from above. Jesus' early followers lived their potential as spiritual beings to the fullest. This is what Jesus was trying to explain to Nicodemus as narrated in today's Gospel.

 

Nicodemus seemed to be operating at the level of the physical. However, Jesus was trying to explain to him the importance of spiritual reality. Often, because we are overly concerned about the material reality, we tend to forget that we are not merely corporeal. It is our spiritual side that enables us to transcend our selfish desires. The root of many of our present problems is selfishness. We are spiritual beings. We are called to share so that we may lead an exceptional life of grace.