Daily Readings for April 5, 2016

1ST READING

The people who respond to the Gospel are drawn together in a community. The unity that the Gospel brings is absolute and they share everything in common. This is hardly practical today, given the kind of society in which we live. However, we need to discover better ways of sharing our resources in order to overcome the scourge of poverty.

Acts 4:32-37

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.

P S A L M

Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5

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)

GOSPEL

The resurrection of Jesus adds to our faith the promise of a new life – something very different from the life we experience here on earth. Exactly what it will be remains a mystery, although we take comfort in knowing that relationships will endure from this life to the next.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

John 3:7-15

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 to him, “How can this happen?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 11 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. 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.”

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