Not Yet Ready

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042417.cfm) reminds me that God will take us in whatever situation we are in, even if we feel we are not yet ready. 

In the gospel, we see Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. He came at night because he did not want people to see him coming to Jesus. He was not fully proud to be seen and associated with Jesus, though he knows who Jesus is. He was a Pharisee, so it was probably very difficult for him to stand up boldly for Jesus. However, despite that situation, Jesus still taught him. In the same way, we know the apostles were not the bravest and wisest of men, yet we see in the first reading that Jesus is using them mightily.

God takes you for what you are, improves you, then uses you.

No one comes to the presence of God then leaves unchanged. As we experience God, as we encounter God, as we know God, we will be changed. We will be improved. As we are filled with his love, we will be more like Him. 

Sometimes we feel we need to change first before coming to God. Sometimes we feel we need to be better before we come to Him. But today, we are reminded that God will take us for who we are, and as we cooperate and let him work in us, he will change us for the better. Christian rapper Lecrae echoes this in his song:

So if you feel like you gotta clean yourself up 

Before you can come to Him, Forget it 

Just come to Him 

He’ll take you as you are, 

and he’ll change YOU From the inside, out

May we remember to just come to God as we are, and allow him to improve and use us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another week. Lord, I am not perfect. I sin a lot of times, despite all you have been doing to me. Sorry, Lord. Sorry for not standing up for you. Sorry for continuously hurting you. Sorry for the times I run away. But I am here, coming to you with a repentant heart, and asking you to accept me, to change me and use me. Make in me what you want, Lord. Love me and fill me. Transform me and use me for your glory. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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April 24, 2017
Monday of the Second Week of Easter
Lectionary: 267

Reading 1 Acts 4:23-31

After their release Peter and John went back to their own people
and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them.
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,
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?
The kings of the earth took their stand
and the princes gathered together
against the Lord and against his anointed.

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,
to do what your hand and your will
had long ago planned to take place.
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.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9

R. (see 11d) Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples utter folly?
The kings of the earth rise up,
and the princes conspire together
against the LORD and against his anointed:
"Let us break their fetters
and cast their bonds from us!"
R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He who is throned in heaven laughs;
the LORD derides them.
Then in anger he speaks to them;
he terrifies them in his wrath:
"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD.
R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Col 3:1

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

Gospel Jn 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
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."
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.
Do not be amazed that I told you,
'You must be born from above.'
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."