With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. – Acts 4:33

       “Remember that it is the Lord your God who gives You the power to acquire wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18),” I reminded our group that was meeting to set up a new business. We were all excited at the prospects and the opportunities ahead.

       Success was not yet in our hands but we were predicting our future by claiming God’s promises. Additionally, the Spirit led me to 2 Chronicles15:7 that says, “Be strong and do not relax, for your work shall be rewarded.” That made our spirits rise even higher and strengthened our resolve to work harder so that God could make good on His promises.

       We also imagined ourselves 10 years down the road, already successful in the business. We would ascribe our successes to God before all our employees and other stakeholders of the business.

       These exercises are part of enjoying the Holy Spirit’s gift of prophecy. With this gift and God’s promises, we know that “toward the faithful, You are faithful” (Psalm 18:25). Even now we know our business will flourish, and we claim it in Jesus’ name. Donna España (donna@homeliving.com.ph)

Reflection: “The word of God is like a two-edged sword, which is living and effective.” (Hebrews 4:12)

I trust in You, Lord, to guide my plans with Your word. Amen.

Blessed Peter Gonzalez, pray for us.

Wouldn’t it be great if all Christians acted with one heart and one mind? This has to be the goal of ecumenism as the division between the various Christian denominations is a complete and utter scandal. Let us do everything we can and constantly pray for unity among Christians. Let us start with the truths and works we hold in common and share them.

32 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. 36 Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, 37 sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.

R: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

1 The Lord is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. (R) And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. 2 Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord. (R) 5 Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. (R)

The Holy Spirit works like the wind. Wind blows into every nook and cranny of a place and pushes out all the stale and fetid air. This is what the Holy Spirit desires to do in our lives – root out all of the sin and drive it away. Let us help the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.

The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

7 Jesus said to Nicodemus: “ ‘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.” 9 Nicodemus  answered and said tohim, “How can this happen?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 11Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Leviticus 25-27

DELIGHTING IN THE PASCHAL MYSTERIES

The prayer over the offerings today asks God for the grace to “always find delight in the paschal mysteries.” As a sincere seeker and assiduous listener, Nicodemus was all ears that night he came to Jesus with his questions. No doubt, he was a secret admirer of the Lord, the doer of signs that could not have been done if He were not from God.

     But Nicodemus hesitated. He came at night. Like many of us who worry a lot about what people might say or think, he avoided the curious crowds. He did his search discreetly. He was a quiet but an active searcher, also an avid listener.

       I am active in social media, especially Facebook, where I do my own brand of evangelization. Often, I see people who give comments to posts and links that they have not even read. Apparently, the rule now is “shoot first; ask questions later.” Some people even get pretty worked up after reading the title of articles carried by satirical sites that provide subtle commentary to current events. Many react without first reading; they talk without first hearing; and they give a piece of their minds without first listening.

       I admire Nicodemus. A man of means, he made use of his resources to help. Together with Joseph of Arimathea, he made it possible for the crucified Lord to get a decent burial. A learned man in search of the truth,  he came forward, he asked, and he listened. Today’s Gospel passage shows that he most likely found delight in the mysteries he listened to.

       Today, one keeps silent not to listen but to think about what to say next to convince the other. Monologues like these are boring. Dialogues, in contrast, are engaging. In a dialogue, one listens twice as much as one speaks. One listens with the heart, like Nicodemus did. He listened intently and found delight in the words of the Lord. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: How good are you at listening?

Grant me a listening heart, Lord, that I may hear You well in my life.