Community

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/043019.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to help each other out.

The gospel says that we should lift God up. This is a commandment. And this is not a concept we should grasp. This is something we can do. This is something we can live by. would be able to do this by our actions. How we treat others, how we relate to one another, shows if we are followers of Christ or not. It shows what is important to us, and who we are subjecting ourselves to. If we treat others right, we proclaim God and lift him up.

God wants us to help out each other.

The first reading tells us also how we can lift God up. We see the way the apostles lived. We see the real essence of community. They were not just living together as a group, but more than that, they were sharing what they had with others. No one wants to be ahead of others. No one wants to have more. They generously share what they have so others can benefit from them as well. This is what God wants us to do.

This is a challenge to do nowadays. People want to get ahead. We see rich people being so greedy, wanting more and more without even helping others. They focus on themselves, what they want, how they can get it, and not think of others and how they can help. As followers of God, we know what we are asked to do.

Do I help others? In what way? Do I share my gifts - my talents, time and treasure with others? What do I want in life? Is my focus just on myself, or do I try my best to help others as well? How can I concretize God’s commandment?

May we be inspired by the real essence of community, and lovingly share what God has given us. We have more than enough for what we really need. May we learn to love others and live simply so others may simply live.

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 the reminder. Lord, sorry for being consumed by the world. Sorry for focusing on myself too much. Sorry for just thinking of what I want. Sorry for equating my worth with my possessions. Help me live like you want me. Teach me to let go of all the excess in my life and learn to share my blessings with others. May I share with love, knowing that it is you I am sharing my blessings with and it is you I am loving through others. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

April 30 2019

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
Lectionary: 268

Reading 1 ACTS 4:32-37

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.
With great power the Apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the Apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.

Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas
(which is translated Ason of encouragement"),
a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,
sold a piece of property that he owned,
then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.

Responsorial Psalm PS 93:1AB, 1CD-2, 5

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

Alleluia JN 3:14-15

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

Gospel JN 3:7B-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus:
"'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."
Nicodemus answered and said to him,
'How can this happen?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?
Amen, 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.
If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe,
how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."