April 16,2012 Acts: 4:23-31; John 3:1-8
Peter and John were warned not to continue their preaching. After their release from prison, they went back to their community … telling of their experience and joining the whole community in prayer … AND … what do they ask for? NOT safety from their enemies … but the ability to continue God’s work … all in the name of Jesus.
How bold they were … how courageous!
And … while they are praying … suddenly the place shakes … and they are filled with the Holy Spirit. Their prayer for strength and courage has been heard. They are enabled to go out and proclaim the Good News with renewed confidence.
In the Gospel … Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be reborn. Nicodemus doesn’t understand and Jesus clarifies that the rebirth is of water and the Spirit.
Both readings speak to us of the power of the Holy Spirit. Once we are filled with the Holy Spirit … and we put ourselves totally in God’s hands … we too can be courageous like the Apostles … called in whatever direction the Spirit leads.
Let us reflect on how open we are and how the Holy Spirit helps us grow in our faith.
May we be filled with wonder and the power of the Holy Spirit so that our faith is strong and our witness is bold and real.
And now, Lord, take note of their threats,
and enable your servants to speak your word
with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal,
and signs and wonders are done
through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
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.
“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.”
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.”
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?”
Jesus answered,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit
he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit.
