TODAYS REFLECTION 2ND WEEK OF EASTER TUES APRIL 5

TODAYS REFLECTION 2ND WEEK OF EASTER TUES APRIL 5 ( Acts 4:32-37, Jn 3: 7 -15 )

#LIFEAFTERTHERESURRECTION#

Friends todays first reading gives us an example of the lifestyle of the first Christian community after the resurrection, the life is being led in the following of the teachings and examples of the apostles, listening and sharing the word of God, gathering together for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, they shared all the have in common. They had one mind and one spirit and loved one another and the spirit of the Lord guided them in one love. Their life is challenge to a life of individualism and selfishism that we see today among us.

In today's Gospel passage Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a leading Jew, comes to Jesus at night, this symbolizes that He is  trying to move beyond the night which the Pharisees seem to find themselves in. This simply means that we sometimes feel lost in the nighttime darkness of our lives and that we need to approach Jesus in our solitary desperation for a rebirth just as the more usual birth,  and this takes time to prepare and is only done in darkness.

Finally, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the "Son of Man" must be "lifted up" to bring the power and authority of God's kingdom. Traditionally when kings began to reign they were literally "lifted up" and enthroned above the people. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that he will be recognized as the Messiah King when he is "lifted up" on the cross at Calvary. The bronze serpent which Moses lifted up in the wilderness points to the cross of Christ which defeats sin and death and obtains everlasting life for those who believe in Jesus Christ. May the Holy sprit give us spiritual power and gifts, especially the seven-fold gifts to live as sons and daughters of God.