The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
St. Vincent Ferrer, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:32-37
Psalm 93:1-2,5
John 3:7-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's readings show a sharp contrast between the newly converted community of believers in the early Church and those who had not yet heard the Lord's calling, as represented by Nicodemus. Those in the early Church understood exactly what their salvation meant and the mystery Jesus brought to us all. Hence, they freely gave their property--earthly physical possessions--for the good of all. They had found the pearl of great price; the value of their wealth paled in comparison to the Great Gift and the betterment of the young community.

Nicodemus, on the other hand, was not quite getting it. Still looking for a messiah in the physical, worldly sense, he struggled with the Lords teachings, asking, "How can this be?" Jesus plainly tells him that if he cannot understand things of the world, he cannot understand things of the spirit. He also questions why Nicodemus is so ignorant of these mysteries when he is a teacher of God's chosen.

Our faith is a collection of mysteries. We have the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament. We have the mysteries upon which we meditate when praying the rosary. We have the mystery of Baptism. Therefore, we celebrate these mysteries and rejoice in them. Sometimes our faith is difficult, as mysteries many times are, and that is all right. He did not leave us alone: we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, as well as the strength of the holy Church to support us when it is difficult. Let us be ever-mindful of this as we approach Pentecost and the celebration of the mystery of the Holy Spirit and rejoice in these great gifts of mystery.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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