“No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” – John 3:3

We were a quiet and solemn group as we waited patiently for our turn to pray before the statue of St. Padre Pio that late Saturday morning in Libis, Quezon City. Seated in rows at the side of the church, I could see the person in front as he or she would go to the statue, insert his or her hand through the glass window just in line with the clasped hands of Padre Pio, and pray for his or her intentions.

       My throat could not help constricting at the sight of the fervent postures of the faithful. Closing their eyes in prayer, they would stand there for a long time. Some would pray with a husband or wife, or with a little child in their arms.

       Faith is such a wonderful gift. To see the hidden kingdom, to believe that St. Padre Pio can ask God on their behalf and that the Lord will answer—that is faith indeed. What a beautiful blessing we have in the Catholic Church that we believe in the Communion of Saints—those in heaven, those in purgatory, and those on earth are united and can pray for one another.

       May the Lord grant us the grace to exercise this gift. May we continue to open our eyes to God’s hidden kingdom in the circumstances of our everyday lives. Joy Sosoban-Roa (jsosoban@gmail.com)

Reflection: “You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.” (A.W. Tozer)

Dear Jesus, open my eyes to Your presence, Your power and Your reign all around me. May I be a living witness of Your glory.

St. Peter Chanel, priest and martyr, pray for us.

The Early Church faced many difficulties. It struggled to establish itself in the face of much Jewish and Roman hostility. Did the Apostles give up? Did the early converts give up? They persevered in their faith because the grace of the Holy Spirit convicted them of the truth of the Gospel.

23 After their release Peter and John went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. 24 And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, “Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, 25 you said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant:‘Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.’ 27 Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do what your hand and your will had long ago planned to take place. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7, 7-9

R: Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? 2 The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the Lord and against his anointed. 3 “Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!” (R) 4 He who is throned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them. 5 Then in anger he speaks to them; he terrifies them in his wrath: 6 “I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord. (R) The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. 9 You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” (R)

It is through our love for each other that people will know that we are disciples of Jesus. Without the Gospel in our lives we will merely follow the example of the world with its power plays, seeking of revenge, and so on. As Christians, we are called to the greater response of love and the power it brings to us. Let us be faithful to our calling to love one another as Christ loves us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

1 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

think:  As Christians, we are called to the greater response of love and the power it brings to us.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Numbers 25-27

THE WOMB OF GOD

Moving away from the Easter Octave, where we revisited in our celebration of the daily Eucharist the various Gospel narratives about the appearances of Jesus risen and alive among the disciples, now we go on with the rest of the seven weeks of Easter. This journey towards Pentecost invites us to reflect daily on the fruits and consequences of the resurrection of Jesus to our faith.

       This week we read through the evening encounter of Jesus with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. This story, according to the reckoning of John, happened early in the public ministry of Jesus. His reputation rising among the people who heard Him preach, Jesus was sought out by Nicodemus. They discussed a lot about the need of being born “from above.”

       The Church consistently believes and preaches that the Sacrament of Christian baptism is that reality of being “born from above.” In this sacrament, we are “born in water and Spirit.” Baptismal water cleanses sin, and the anointing with the chrism oil symbolizes the giving of the Holy Spirit. This sacrament draws origin in Jesus’ resurrection, where we die to sin and rise to newness of life with Jesus.

       Easter is then not only an event for Jesus; it is our big season, too. Easter is the origin of our baptism, and its last day — Pentecost — is the Church’s birthday. The baptismal font is the womb of God — giving birth to new children of God whose ultimate citizenship is heaven. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How many baptismal godchildren do you have? What have you done to help them grow in their faith? Visit the church where you were baptized, if this is possible. Have a moment of special prayer in that birthplace of your “life from above.”

I pray, Lord, for all my baptismal godchildren. Help me to fulfill my duty to them.